After a fruitless morning walking Seaford Head and then a brief spell down Splash Point producing just a Whitethroat of note, I was mightily pleased to get a phonecall from Nick Pope as he had found a Kentish Plover on the west side of the Lower Cuckmere.
Being a mega patch tick I was quickly on site and getting distant views from the western path, but soon closer views were had from the riverbank. The Kentish was associating closely with four Ringed Plover and two Dunlin, whilst a Grey Plover and Greenshank were also present.
This was the 8th record of Kentish Plover for the Cuckmere since 1960, and the first since 1991, and if the water levels are maintained as they are currently in the coming months or years, the scarce Wader list could increase dramatically. My feeling is, if the Cuckmere can attract birds such as Baird's Sandpiper (2017) & Semipalmated Sandpiper (2018) during non-suitable water levels, then the potential for great habitat is immense.
Being a mega patch tick I was quickly on site and getting distant views from the western path, but soon closer views were had from the riverbank. The Kentish was associating closely with four Ringed Plover and two Dunlin, whilst a Grey Plover and Greenshank were also present.
This was the 8th record of Kentish Plover for the Cuckmere since 1960, and the first since 1991, and if the water levels are maintained as they are currently in the coming months or years, the scarce Wader list could increase dramatically. My feeling is, if the Cuckmere can attract birds such as Baird's Sandpiper (2017) & Semipalmated Sandpiper (2018) during non-suitable water levels, then the potential for great habitat is immense.
 |
Kentish Plover (distant)
at Lower Cuckmere
|
 |
| Whitethroat on Seaford Head |
