Dorian and I decided to do a bit of cleaning up today and as the weather was set fair we headed off, passports in the back pocket into Hampshire. We were treated by thick fog but it did not matter as the Spanish Sparrow was chirping away merrily just ten feet away! Then onto the Dark-eyed Junco and it too performed well in the murk. No point looking for raptors so we headed even further into the county and ended up at Blashford lakes. Eight Goosanders and three Black-necked Grebes were adequate compensation. A Bittern from just 20 feet away was the highlight along with another fishing a bit farther away. The feeding station was alive with Redpolls and Siskins but not a single Brambling to be seen. Slowly the weather improved so we returned eastwards to the New Forest where two Goshawks were displaying above our heads - magnificent. Just to show that spring was really in the air a pair of Woodlarks put in a beautiful display. We decided the Junco was worth a look in the sunshine so we retraced our steps and sure enough the bird put on a wonderful show. Just to end off the day on a high a male Hen Harrier sailed low over the heather making it just one of those special days. (R Ives & Dorian Mason).

A beautiful afternoon in Lewes called for another venture to Lewes Brooks that wasn't a disappointment. A Hen Harrier was making its presence felt and within ten minutes of arriving I spotted a quite spectacular sight. Two Short-eared Owls appeared and seemed to dive and chase the harrier (or was it the harrier chasing them??) as it tried to fend off the attentions of a Carrion Crow or two. Underneath the airborne rough and tumble a good number (7-8) of Grey Herons kept their heads down along with Little Egret, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Coot and Moorhen. Two or three Mute Swan could be seen in the far distance and settled alongside at least one Canada Goose. A Buzzard flew overhead, two Snipe were disturbed and a seemingly belligerent crow appeared to knock a Kestrel off its perch which then flew close to the ground, hugging the grassy contours at disappeared into the distance. While I watched a Reed Bunting sang in the ditch beside me.

Two hour walk from 4pm today at Beeding Brooks, beautiful day. We were lucky enough to see a short-eared owl on our travels which flew out from the thickets but no further sightings afterwards. A heron flew past us on our way back to the car, only a few metres from where we were standing.

A lovely afternoon spent in the garden enjoying the spring like weather watching the usual garden birds, when we glanced up and noticed five common buzzards leisurely gliding and soaring in the thermals. Several minutes after the first sighting, most of the birds had gone when a sixth paler individual decided to join the one remaining straggler from the original group. A lovely way to end the day!

Ten Slavonian and two Red-necked Grebes on the sea off Ferring/Goring Gap as well as ca. 120 Great Cresteds this morning.

First Sandwich terns back today at Ternery Pool, Rye Harbour, along with hundreds of "small" gulls - and the island building was completed today, just in time - see www.RXwildlife.org.uk

First of all, in reply to Nick Bond: we saw the Rough-legged Buzzard well this morning, near the dew pond, and the 'wing tag' appears to just be a primary feather out of place. This feature was very useful, as we were able to pick it up again in silhouette at great distance later, soaring with 5 Common Buzzards. We also found a flock of Corn Buntings, Grey Partridge everywhere (of course), at least 3 Mediterranean Gulls with the numerous other gulls, and a flock of Fieldfares. We also managed to see at least 3 Red Kites, and we were very suprised to see two Short-eared Owls along the path back to the car park (after seeing them distantly earlier on)!

Brief stop at High and Over car park to look at a large flock of gulls following a 'fast-moving' tractor harrowing/rolling a newly ploughed field. In the main winter plumage Black-headed Gulls but two full adult Mediterranean Gulls with almost complete black heads. I think that there was at least one other but the flock was constantly on the move and swirling around. Also saw a red admiral butterfly and, in the valley, one of the 'resident' escaped Egyptian geese.

Female blackcap feeding on fatballs at noon. Seen off by territorial blue tit.

Saw the ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD at 12.50. It seemed to have what would appear to be a tag to its wing? I wonder if the bird has been tagged or maybe a different bird? Has anyone else noticed this?

With much better light today, the YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER is still in the usual places near the Parexel Building, Upper High Street, Worthing.

A Swallow appeared briefly at midday at St. Leonards, hawking above a sunlit cliffside.

Bittern at Shinewater on the western side of the lake at 14.00, giving good views as it preened in the spring sunshine, and the Black-necked Grebe still at West Rise Lake. Waterfowl numbers significantly reduced but Teal, Gadwall, Pochard, Wigeon, Shelduck, Tufted Duck and Mallard still present.

Taking advantage of the unexpectedly good light I was lucky enough to spend 30-40 minutes watching the spectacular sight of three Short-eared Owls hawking over the ditches at Lewes Brooks. Their hunt for food was regularly disturbed by the owls clashing with each other or being regularly chased by Rooks - sometimes to a good height. Other sightings included Little Egret, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler and Cormorant. 

The YBW still showing well today from 8.45am, hopefully it will stay around for a while longer. I also wanted to take the opportunity to thank all the birders who have been very respectful to my colleagues over the last few days and especially those who have taken the time to speak with anyone who has shown an interest. It has certainly been a talking point in the office this week! I've also finally managed to update my blog and post a few images.

The YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER was very active around 14.15 in the bushes in the front of the Parexel Building, Upper High Street, Worthing. It was calling very loudly for some time just to the left of the entrance gate before flying in to a holly bush near the Stage Pub where it showed well on and off for 10 minutes before flying north around the corner.

Eight buzzards over North Chailey today plus 1 sparrowhawk.

Apart from seeing my first Knots of the year, I have to say, it was a fairly quiet trip to Pagham Harbour today. Hardly anything of note within the churchyard (except for the renovation work being carried out on the old church). The sea off Church Norton was near empty save for some distant merganser flocks, not one Slav or diver present! A Red-legged Partridge nearly collided with my windscreen as I left the churchyard and a possible Chiffchaff was heard singing but I couldn't locate the bird. Better times ahead I hope. Still, a great place to do some birding. In depth report & photos on my blog Enjoy!

Ten grey geese sp flew W high over Thorney Deeps this morning at 09.55, unfortunately I did not have my scope with me today. Also two female/imm Marsh Harriers were quartering the fields on the west side of Thorney Deeps at 11.55 and a redhead Smew that showed briefly at the Little Deep before disappearing into the reedbed was an unexpected surprise. Two immature male Eiders were off Pilsey Island and 11 common seals were hauled up on the mudflats near Marker Point.

This morning I failed to find the adult but located the second winter ICELAND GULL on exposed rocks to the west and later it was on the west breakwater; on the sea a pair of shelduck and some 30 razorbills in little flotillas, while flying east were about 220 brent geese in flocks up to 70-strong (pic attached).