Yesterday morning at The Burgh there were 3 Red Kites, a Hobby, 10+ Buzzards, a scruffy (presumably young) Raven, plus plenty of Corn Buntings, Whitethroats, Linnets, Swifts and a few Grey Partridges and a single Red-Legged Partridge with one chick. On Selsey Beach yesterday afternoon there were 9 Sanderling in mixed plumage and a feeding frenzy of at least 40 Common Terns (pic of some of them attached) and about 20 Black-headed Gulls on the slipway of the lifeboat station. Also a Hobby at Church Norton yesterday afternoon. This morning at least 50 Little Terns feeding off Selsey Bill with similar numbers of Common Terns, but absolutely no passage.

Not only ospreys in June but now pink-footed goose too, both out of season in Sussex. This morning in Lower Cuckmere, from eastside looking to westside, with a flock of grazing Canada geese one bar-headed goose, its legs brilliantly orange, and, on my way back, a grey goose that through the scope turned into a pink-footed goose although, to be honest, among the buttercups I could see neither its legs nor usually its head and then it sank down and went to sleep! (Don't think its tundra bean but would like confirmation). Arrived at Arlington Reservoir at 11.30 to find one osprey searching, then diving, then flying N with fish at 11.35 and it or another was around and about from 12.10 to 12.25. Otherwise here were great crested grebes in splendid head-dresses (pic attached).

Whilst out in the garden I was very pleased to see a Hobby shoot through the garden! Even though it was traveling very fast still got a good view even if it was for only for a split second! Such a distinctive bird.

Thanks to James Harden for the attached photo of a white Blackbird fledgling in his Horsted Keynes garden.

I left my tripod strap in the shelter just back from Splash Point, Seaford at 3pm on Friday. My number is 07976 445772 if anyone finds it... Thanks!

A walk with the dog and Louise in the Cuckmere Valley produced a few nice birds. A pair of Egyptian Geese with at least three goslings and a single further north, plenty of Little Egrets and Grey Herons, Buzzard over, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Linnets, Goldfinches and a fine singing Yellowhammer. Both Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were also singing. A few Cormorants were about and there was a Shelduck and a Pied Wagtail at Exceat. Swallows, House Martins and a few Swifts gave great views low over the crops.

Single Osprey hunting over Arlington Reservoir (photo attached) - same bird as seen 10.45 - 11.05, came back 11.30 and provided excellent views for ~5 watchers, from main car park. Looks to be a male bird judging by pale colouration, but any ID from pictures welcomed.

Similar to earlier in the day by the looks of things. An Osprey drifted over the reservoir at 1.45pm and circled around for 15 minutes before heading off back over the woods to the north.

Despite the weather remaining indifferent a visit to Rye Harbour proved fruitful. Starting at the blustery and rather cold viewpoint - Cettis, Reed and Sedge Warblers soon sang as did Reed Bunting. Cormorants were, as usual, numerous though rather outnumbered by 150+ Swifts. A solitary Swallow flew amongst them for a while. With this number there had to be a Hobby near by and after some fine display from two Marsh Harriers (a Crow continually harrasing one of them) a Hobby indeed did appear zooming low over the reeds, assuring cover by the willows on the far side and attempting to surprise the Swifts no doubt. Other birds here - Mute Swan, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Great Black-backed Gull, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird and Cuckoo. Moving on to the car park in the village itself I was wondering wether to venture forth in the continued windy conditions when a Cuckoo appeared and settled on the near by telephone lines, offering great views. Another Hobby flew accross the car park toward the beach. House Sparrows, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch were all present as were a mob of Starlings - mostly juveniles with a few adults. I walked along the lane that leads to Watch Cottage, House Martins are still present nesting on the houses here, though I feel sure in smaller numbers now than in past years, House Sparrows were also present as well as a juvenile Robin. Passing Narrow Pit there was a family of Magpies lurking in a tree, with Song Thrush singing in the background along with Cetti's Warbler and occasional Cuckoo. A Nightingale appeared carrying food, hopefully the sign of a successful season despite the weather. Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, Great and Blue Tits abounded along the lane. A Great Crested Grebe was the solitary bird out on the water at this point although Med Gull and Common Tern were flying over. A Cetti's Warbler sat happily out in the open near the small pond. At the first set of pools two Little Egrets were present along with a reasonable number of Avocets and a few gulls. Greylag Geese had some goslings trotting along. Continuing toward Harbour Farm a Bullfinch appeared along with Long Tail Tits. Greenfinch called from the conifers at the farm and above Long Pit more Swifts. A Mallard family were in the ditch here with a sentinal like Grey Heron standing near by. On the pools by Harbour Farm were more Avocets along with several gulls and a few Shelduck. A brief look at the sea, tide half out/in, revealed nothing though many gulls and terns on the beach. Moving on to the hide at Ternery Pool, Sandwich and Common Terns were present in reasonable numbers along with many Black-headed Gulls, the usual Cormorants and a solitary Great Crested Grebe. The new hide at Flat Beach produced Redshank, Ringed Plover and terns in good numbers with the highlight being a single Little Tern. Two Gadwall and two Shoveler were also present. Most of the sea front journey had been accompanied by Skylark song and several now made appearances quite low down. Linnets had also been a constant companion. Several Meadow Pipits song descended around. More Avocets were on the new flood area behind Flat Beach.

Not a hint of redshank nor lapwing let alone a yellow wagtail, but a little egret in a dyke, a hobby catching dragonflies from a post (pic attached), a pair of Med gulls, calling and flying south at ca.1300 and the summery sounds of sedge warblers, willow warblers and a nightingale made for a joyous time.

Two European Bee-eaters at Filsham Reedbed this afternoon around 3pm then flew off W after viewing for around ten minutes of spectacular hunting. I then visited a friend whose house overlooks the reedbed and sitting in the tree at the end of his garden was a Rose-coloured Starling.

Do you have bird photographs you would be happy for us to use in the new SOS Sussex avifauna? This new major book on the birds of Sussex is being written and assembled over the next 12 months, and we'd like to include photos of as many species as possible (ideally taken in Sussex) from lots of different people. If you are willing to contribute some of your photos, please contact me ASAP (adrianrspb@btinternet.com) and I'll explain more about what we're looking for and when. Thanks!

Single Osprey hunting over Arlington reservoir, 10.45 - 11.05, very windy and has not yet caught anything. Looked to head back into woodland to the north.

A much better day for me at Splash between 05.25 and 08.30 with two BALEARIC SHEARWATERS passing close inshore moving west at 05.42 and 05.50. Unfortunately, after this exciting start the action appeared to tail off markedly until a pale phase Pomarine Skua passed going east at 07.52 - again not far offshore. Also of note were Manx Shearwater 4 (2W, 2E); Mediterranean Gull 4; Common Scoter 7; Fulmar apppoximately 20-25 - plus a steady but small trickle of Gannets.

Selsey Bill, 05.00 - 09.10, WSW5/6 sunny: STORM PETREL - 1W @ 05.10 and 1os @ 08.25, Pomarine Skua - 1E @ 05.35, Manx Shearwater - 1E, Gannet - 77E, 21W, Little Tern - 8W, Kittiwake - 5E, 1W, Sanderling - 1E, Common Sandpiper - 1W, Common Tern - 26W, 17os, Fulmar - 1E, 3W, auk sp - 3E, Oystercatcher - 3W, Razorbill - 1W and Shag - 1os. (J. Atkinson, S. Hill & P. Bowley).

Selsey Bill, 14.30 - 19.30, SW8 cloud/sun: Pomarine Skua - 1E @ 14.50, Manx Shearwater - 1E, Arctic Skua - 1E, Common Tern - 1E, 9W, 7os, Sandwich Tern - 3W, Whimbrel - 1W, Gannet - 6E, 62W, Common Scoter - 4E, auk sp - 1E, Fulmar - 4W, Little Tern - 4W, Kittiwake - 1W and Great Crested Grebe - 1W. (J. Atkinson, S. Hill & G. Heath).

Not too bad this morning (05.00 - 08.00). WSW wind was still strong but I had forgotten how boring summer seawatching can be with long periods of watching a birdless sea. Sadly no stormies but totals as follows: Manx Shearwater 3E @ 05.30, 4E then W @ 07.30, shearwater sp (prob Manx) 1W @ 05.40. Great Skua 1E @ 05.15, Arctic Skua 1 pale phase E @ 07.50, Common Scoter 12, Dunlin 4W, auk sp 3E, Guillemot 1E and Med Gull 2E.

Just for to complete the record, having ben alerted by Matt as to his good fortune with the Storm Petrel, I also recorded another Manx Shearwater moving W in my 90 minute return vigil spent with Matt and Mick between 11.05 and 12.35. For what is was worth, there were also two Common Scoter just offshore. It was just not my morning!

A seawatch at Splash Point, Seaford 10.40 - 13.55 with Mick Davis produced 1 STORM PETREL @ 10.42 (MRE only); 1 Pomarine Skua; 1 Manx Shearwater W; 2 Arctic Skuas and 33 Mediterranean Gulls. The petrel was only 200-250 metres offshore allowing all key features to be seen, however it moved east quickly. I believe this is the first sighting of this species at this site since May 2006, though I stand to be corrected.

Hopes yesterday that seawatching would produce something of interest ahead of the predicted gale were soon dashed and between 06.10 and 08.10 I recorded little of note beyond a single shearwater sp., 4 Common Scoter and up to 10 Little Terns although a continuous heavy stream of Gannets moving E close inshore provided some diversion. This morning between 06.05 and 08.05 the gale force winds produced rather more interest with 3 Great Skuas (2E together at 06.15 and 1E at 07.10), a single skua sp. (almost certainly an Arctic Skua also going E), and a single shearwater sp. seen briefly moving W. Also noted were a steady stream of Gannets, 5 Common Scoter, 2 Commic Terns, 1 Little Tern and 6 Sandwich Terns. Better but scarcely breathtaking.