Seaford Head & Dorset 12/4/12

A good day out and about with the dog (Taz). Started off at Seaford Head where there was an obvious fall of migrants. Totals are as follows:

Willow Warbler - 33
Whitethroat - 1
Blackcap - 9
Wheatear - 3
Magpie - 20+ (birds were seen high up moving east)

After this we picked up Jake and headed down to Dorset fo the Black-winged Stilt. We made good time and soon arrived on site (Abbotsbury Swannery) and soon found the BLACK-WINGED STILT on the small flood just east of the Swannery. It was always distant but good scope views were had and it was also seen in flight.

Next up was Portland where a large number of Willow Warblers were moving as were plenty of Swallows. Other bits included 2 male Redstarts, 6 Wheatears and hundreds of Guillemots and 10+ Shags were out at sea.

Taz enjoying Seaford Head

My first Whitethroat on the patch this year.

Willow Warbler in Harry's Bush

distant Black-winged Stilt in Dorset

Local stuff 11/4/12

Finally saw my first Swallows of the year today. A total of 12 were seen across 3 sites: Peacehaven, Arlington Reservoir and Lewes Brooks.

At Arlington Reservoir were a Whitethroat and a House Martin, both yearticks taking the tally to 205.

On Lewes Brooks the only birds of note were 2 Wheatears.

Splash Point 10/4/12

Highlights this morning from 6.10-8.00 in a WSW force 3.

Great Skua - 12 (including 6 in two minutes)
Arctic Skua - 2 DP
Common Tern - 1
Sandwich Tern - 19
Common Scoter - 36
Gannet - 35
Shoveler - 3
Diver sp. - 2
Mediterranean Gull - 1

UK Yearlist now up to 202

Seaford Head 6/4/12

Despite covering the whole circuit this morning not a single migrant was noted. Very poor despite the time of year.

Splash Point, Seaford 5/4/12

A very cold and moderate northerly breeze this morning with mist offshore.

6.35-8ish

Arctic Skua - 2 DP @7.09
Diver sp - 1
Teal - 3
Shoveler - 2
Common Scoter - 28
Mediterranean Gull - 2 + 1W
Sandwich Tern - 4
Brent Geese - 57
Guillemot - 4

A quick walk up on Seaford Head after produced nothing, however yesterday the male Ring Ouzel was still by Harry's Bush.

Seaford Head 3/4/12

Finally after my run of earlies at work, a fine morning sent me back onto the patch. Being very cold and slightly murky didn't feel me with much excitement, but when the area warmed up, birds came thick and fast.

Best of all were 2 stunning male Ring Ouzels by the wood. They seemed very settled, but I couldn't get close enough for a decent picture. Other totals consisted off:

Wheatear - 22
Willow Warbler - 7
Chiffchaff - 5
Blackcap - 3
Little Owl - 1
Treecreeper - 1

2 Peregrines at Seaford Head

Wheatear along the cliff edge

Willow Warbler by the wood

male Ring Ouzel by the wood.

Somerset 1/4/12

I thought I would test drive my new car down in Somerset yesterday, and so I did. I arrived at Shapwick Heath at 7.50am and started walking west to the drained lagoon. Along this path my first Willow Warbler of the year was in song, and in the distance, 'booming' Bitterns were heard.

Arriving at the lagoon, assembled birders were already watching the 2 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. They were distant at first, but they flew closer allowing good scope views. Also on this lagoon were a Great White Egret, Bittern, s/p Ruff and a Sedge Warbler. A Marsh Harrier also flew over.

Having cleared up here I went straight onto Chew Valley Lake to Herriot's Pool where thankfully the SPOTTED SANDPIPER was present along with a Green Sandpiper. A Sand Martin also flew over.

A very successful trip west, so I headed back into Sussex and visited Weir Wood Reservoir and Lewes Brooks but unfortunately no new birds could be found. UK yearlist now up to 198.

'distant' Long-billed Dowitchers at Shapwick Heath.

Willow Warbler at Shapwick Heath