Seaford Head & Cuckmere Haven 9/8/16

Looking out the window this morning I nearly went back to bed as the wind was apparent. However, I gave it a go and I'm very pleased I did. Arriving at the car park with Bob, Willow Warblers were moving continuously inland which is always a good sign. The flow of migrants carried on throughout the morning with an obvious arrival of Sylvia Warblers being present, especially Garden Warblers. The highlight by far was finding a stunning Wood Warbler in Harry's Bush, this being my first autumn record here. As the area warmed up Hirundines started moving west in moderate numbers, and leaving the car park a Marsh Harrier flew over which rounded off a successful visit.

Totals are:

Wood Warbler - 1 Harry's Bush
Spotted Flycatcher - 2
Nightingale - 1 juv
Redstart - 1
Whitethroat - 21
Lesser Whitethroat - 9
Garden Warbler - 10
Blackcap - 6
Willow Warbler - 70
Chiffchaff - 3
Sedge Warbler - 2
Reed Warbler - 3
Wheatear - 1
Marsh Harrier - 1 juv/fem W at 10.25
Sand Martin - ca. 100
Swallow - ca. 75

Cuckmere produced a new arrival of Waders along the river with totals of:

Knot - 1
Common Sandpiper - 2
Dunlin - 40
Black-tailed Godwit - 1
Redshank - 8 (one tight flock mainly consisting of juvs)

Yesterday in Milan I saw an adult Night Heron, Hooded Crows and butterflies consisted of Scarce Swallowtails, Clouded Yellow and an unidentified White.

 Wood Warbler in Harry's Bush - having seen three spring birds, it's about time an autumn bird showed up

 Willow Warbler in Hope Gap - largest total of the autumn so far

 Garden Warbler in Hope Gap

 Marsh Harrier over Seaford Head

 s/p Knot with Redshank

Black-tailed Godwit & Redshank in the Cuckmere