Seaford Head 23/8/16

The first calm day for a short while was bound to produce some new arrivals, and with a fresh SE wind blowing the chance of a continental scarcity was good........but not for us today. A good range of species were seen today with one that possibly got away, when early on a Golden Plover seen in flight calling an obvious double-noted call (with more emphasis on the second syllable) flew across us heading north and quickly out of sight. Initial views revealed slightly paler underwing but with the low sun shining straight onto the underwing this could have over-exposed the colouration. No foot projection was seen but the bird wasn't close, though the call does match a Pacific Golden Plover, but with no other key features noted there's not much point going on really, though it could just have been a dodgy calling European Golden Plover. Of interest, a European Golden Plover was heard calling roughly four hours later by the coastguard cottages.
Probably the highlight of the morning was an Osprey that flew straight out to sea, though a preening Spoonbill was spotted on the scrape from the coastguard cottages, plus a good number of Reed Warblers were about although the goody still awaits.......hopefully!

Totals are:
Golden Plover sp. - 1 north at 6.35am
Willow Warbler - 25
Garden Warbler - 2
Yellow Wagtail - 36
Whitethroat - 45
Wheatear - 4
Tree Pipit - 3
Reed Warbler - 15
Nightingale - 3
Lesser Whitethroat - 5
Blackcap - 20
Redstart - 2
Spotted Flycatcher - 1
Chiffchaff - 2
Swift - 7
Osprey - 1 sth at 9.24am
Hobby - 1 adult
Swallow - 50 E
Sand Martin - 75 E

Spoonbill - 1 on scrape briefly this morning

This afternoon whilst writing this blog post, an Osprey flew NW over my Peacehaven garden, all thanks to the local Gulls for the alert.

 Osprey over Seaford Head - fantastic views

 a skulky Lesser Whitethroat in Hope Gap

 Reed Warbler in Hope Gap - best total of the autumn today with at least 15 birds seen

 Willow Warbler in Hope Gap

Hobby over Hope Gap