18 Poms past Birling Gap by midday
2 Temminck's Stints still at Sidlesham Ferry 11.45
A Cattle Egret flew E past Worthing at 7.12 with Black-headed Gulls and then past Brighton Marina at 7.48
Nine Pomarine Skuas lingering off Birling Gap until 8.45 at least + 1 Roseate Tern, 1 Bonxie and 1 Bottle-nosed Dolphin
A female Montagu's Harrier at Scotney GP + 1 drake Garganey in the NE corner
A Temminck's Stint on Sidlesham Ferry + 1 Little Stint, 14 Greenshank, 10 Common Sands and 4 Green Sands
Eight Black Terns at Northpoint GP
News for 6 May 2000
A probable 1st summer Franklin's Gull E past Worthing at 11.14
A male Golden Oriole flew over Hollingbury Camp at 12.35 heading N towards Stanmer Woods
Four Temminck's Stints in the Cuckmere Valley 1/4 mile N of Exceat Bridge in flooded fields best viewed from the Litlington Road + 2 Wood Sands, 6 Greenshank and many other waders in the valley
Garganey at Pagham North Wall + Wood Sand
8 Poms past Seaford + 3 Arctic Skuas + Osprey in at 10.40 + ringtail harrier W at 7.20 - probably a Monty's and identified as such at 7.26 from Newhaven
Two Temminck's Stints at Sidlesham Ferry
Richards Pipit again at Coombe Haven in first set aside field south of the river
Female Montagu's Harrier past Hove at 6.43 then from Brighton Marina 6.55 - 7.05
Rintail Montagu's Harrier E at Pebsham at 11.00
Roseate Tern past Selsey Bill + 26 Black Terns
Serin at Newhaven at 7.53
Sunday 07 May 2000
The Cattle Egret is now in flooded fields N of Exceat Bridge in the Cuckmere Valley at 10.40
Sunday 07 May 2000
A story of dedication to birdlife is unfolding in Billingshurst. Last Tuesday (2nd) a family of Starling chicks fell out their nest at the Blue Ship public house, the Haven, where Des Nulty works
3rd May:
"My Wife [Lyta] and I have decided that in the absence of BBC camera crews and Rolf Harris that we would try
to look after them ourselves.No body seemed to want to take them in so we are getting advice from various agencies
and going to act as foster parents to them. although I do find sitting on the edge of the nest 20 feet of the ground
a bit of chore."
Later Des sent me a more detailed account:
"The nest is situated under the eves of the pub and in among the ivy. Unfortunately they landed in a dog pound,and
to save them from being trodden on by the dogs (Newfounland's) they had to be rescued. Unfortunately one of the
chicks was less developed than the others and died.Also a dead adult had been found earlier on that day.The landlady
(knowing I am a keen ornithologist) volunteered me as foster parent.I have never assumed this role before and thought
that by the end of the they would be booked for B&B in a local sanctuary.However, outside of normal office
hours this is a bit difficult and the few that Des managed to speak to gave little advice.My main worry was feeding
them as I had no idea when they last ate.Des had meanwhile phoned someone who just said not to worry about them
overnight but try to contact a sanctuary in the morning.However I did scrounge some mince beef from the pub,but
hesitated giving it to them thinking I might be doing the wrong thing.By this morning they looked a pretty pathetic
trio,so I tried the mince beef. Initially they were not going to open there beaks for anything,but suddenly one
got the idea and the others joined in.The rest of the day has gone well.I called in @ the local vet and spoke to
a nurse and from my description of the chicks she judged them to be about 12-14 days old,there eyes are open and
they have tail and wing feathers developing.They
are hopping and moving about the box with vigour.Success came this afternoon from a very nice lady called Tanya
@ "Care for the wild",who said they would come and collect the chicks.However by now myself and my family
were becoming quite attached.Tanya said if we felt we could cope she would have someone experience contact me,but
if we changed our minds we were just to call her.I eventually spoke to another lady (Karen) in the West Country
who gave me feeding advice from cat food mixed with chopped egg (a bit cannibalistic) to mealy worms or Wax worms,but
I would have to chop the heads off otherwise they would eat the Starling chicks from the inside! and to feed approx.every
15 minutes in small amounts except @ night when presumably they would be left anyway.
The saddest thing about this situation was when I enquired of customers @ the pub if anyone new what to do for
the chicks the response was generally that as they were only starlings therefore nasty vicious horrible birds,the
best thing would be to let them die.I coud'nt help but think of the riots over the bank holiday in London and wander
about this logic."
I will let you know when I hear more from Des.
Sunday 07 May 2000
I (Colin Law) had a red letter day at Castle Hill NNR yesterday. I had set my alarm for 0500 so as to get a nice early start before the dog walkers got up, but a Song Thrush woke me at 0445 so I thought this must be a good omen and got up (luckily I remembered to switch off the alarm or a certain other member of the household would not have been too pleased). I had missed the last two weekends so was at least expecting a good number of Whitethroat to be making their prescence known, and you never know what might be seen at this time of year.
Sure enough, as I approached the reserve I heard the first two Whitethroat singing, along with a Yellowhammer and a Lesser Whitethroat. The Whitethroat seem to thrive in the scrub on the chalk grass but I have rarely heard Lesser Whitethroat there, so whether this one is just passing through remains to be seen. Then blowing in on the fairly brisk Easterly wind, on the limit of audibility, came a few rich notes and the thought, Nightingale, leapt into my brain. This is my third year watching Castle Hill and I have never heard a Nightingale there (though my first year I was pretty pathetic on song, but I don't think even I could have missed a Nightingale). I rapidly rejected the thought as too optimistic, and assumed it was just a Song Thrush or Blackbird in particularly fine condition and pressed on, counting the Whitethroat and Yellowhammer as I went. Half a mile further on, however, my original thought was confirmed as I clearly heard that crescendo of clear notes that only a Nightingale can produce. I easily tracked it down to a patch of scrub on a south facing slope. It was singing well, with a few tens of seconds of singing every few of minutes. I spent about twenty minutes stalking round the scrub in the hope of actually seeing the bird, and I new where it was within a couple of metres, but could not see it. This did not worry me of course, the point of a Nightingale is be heard and not seen. Birds of Sussex shows no records for Nightingale as even possible breeding, never mind probable or confirmed, so if it stays around this will be a new location. Time will tell.
I reluctantly left the Nightingale still singing and pressed on. Linnet seem to be everywhere throughout the reserve at this time of year. How one is supposed to estimate the number of breeding pairs with such a mobile, communal species I am not sure, can anyone elucidate?
Further on, on a secluded short turf area I found a pair of Wheatear. Wheatear have bred in the area in the past, but not recently, but I have seen late Wheatear before so am not getting too exited about these.
The regular three Stonechat males were on station, though no sign of food carrying yet, hopefully the females are sitting comfortably.
As I approached a patch of nettles I saw a young foxcub apparently dozing in the sun. It was facing away from me and did not see me as I approached. When I was about 10 metres away a second cub bounced out of a hole, saw me and bounced back again, this alerted the second one which saw me and also bounced down a hole, it then peared out at me for a few seconds before disappearing. A Corn Bunting rattled nearby and a Green Woodpecker called and flew over. Skylarks and Meadow Pipit were singing over Castle Hill itself. (Oh dear, this is getting a bit lyrical, I am supposed to be a computer nerd!)
I climbed to what I optimistically call the Raptor Watch Point, though generally Corvid and Pigeon Watch Point would be more appropriate but this time was rewarded with the sight of a Hobby flying over as I ate my emergency rations (I was hungry, that's an emergency isn't it?).
The final tally on singing Whitethroat was 17, with 5 singing Yellowhammer.
I went back at dusk last night and sat for half an hour on a superb spring evening listening to the Nightingale as it got dark. Green-winged Teal and Kentish Plovers are all very well, but for me this is what birding is all about.
Sunday 07 May 2000
You may have noticed a certain tardiness loading the news page recently. I have a counter on it recording how many hits it gets and this has been giving some problems. Hopefully things should be much improved now. If you are interested we are currently running at just under 500 hits a week on the news page. Do let me know (Colin Law, email address above) if you encounter any problems with the web site (or have any suggestions).
My next priority to provide a gazeteer of place names with map references. A number of the places mentioned in the news pages are not that well known and I get a number of queries about locations. Having provided the gazeteer the idea is to then provide some details on each of them. If anyone would like to get their name in lights by providing a paragraph or two (or more) on their favourite site then get scribbling asap.
Friday 05 May 2000
At Beachy Head a female Ortolan on short turf just south of Belle Tout Wood. Also a female Serin reported at the Lane, Birling Gap
At Sidlesham Ferry 2 Avocets and 26 Greenshank
At Selsey Bill 18 Pom Skuas by 1.15, a Serin singing at 6.30am, 20 Black Terns and a Marsh Harrier
At Seaford 3 Black Terns, 86 Little Terns, 14 Avocets and 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins present between 9.00 and 9.30am
Yesterday a Richard's Pipit reported at Combe Haven
Friday 05 May 2000
News for 4th May 2000
A Temminck's Stint at Icklesham also 2 Hobbies, 2 Greenshank, Spotted Redshank and 2 LRPs
At Selsey Bill a female Kentish Plover flew east with a Ringed Plover, a Marsh Harrier flew in and a Great Northern Diver flew east.
Thursday 04 May 2000
News for 3rd May 2000
At Sidlesham Ferry a wing-tagged Red Kite from 9.30 - 9.45
Two Black-necked Grebes, Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Avocets at Scotney GP
Wednesday 03 May 2000
The Brighton Peregrines are still sitting on 3 eggs. They may hatch at the end of the week.
Wednesday 03 May 2000
As you are probably aware the Sussex Ornithological Society's Swift Survey, run by Graham Roberts, is being continued this year. Volunteers are requested to assist in counting low flying Swifts and identifying nest sites in towns and villages across Sussex. The more towns/villages we can cover the better. Full details and record forms can be found in the Surveys section, or click on the above link to go straight there. Results from last years survey are also to be found in the Surveys section.
Wednesday 03 May 2000
At Selsey Bill a Serin singing at the Bill House garden 7.10 - 7.15 this morning, when it flew off west.
Wednesday 03 May 2000
More news for 1st May 2000
Green-winged Teal still at Pulborough West Mead Hide + Hobby and 4 Greenshank
Ring Ouzel at Firehills, Hastings CP
330 Whimbrel at Rye Hbr
A report of events at Selsey Bill over the weekend from Owen Mitchell:
Sunday 30th Apr afternoon was pleasant at the Bill, until a phone call was received by a (visiting?) birder
to the effect that the Black-winged Stilts were on the Ferry Pool. Exodus. Arrived at the Ferry to find a few birders
having great views - but there was nothing on the pager so I decided to put out the news. Almost immediately after,
the pager blleped - not with news of the stilts, but of a Bee-eater at Norton. Off we went, always behind the last
sighting, and didn't get any views of this potential Suusex tick for many (me included.) Some were more lucky -
including an RSPB group who apparently walked past people without comment or help. Oh well !! Anyway...........the
Poms were on their way that evening.
Next morning was a red-letter day at the Bill. I arrived just in time to see a highly excited group of observers
on the move - a few seconds later I was scoping a delightful Bee-eater which was perched in a tree. A dream come
true for me at the Bill. It performed well for a little while whilst frantic phone calls were made to all and sundry
- inc the birdlines - to get as many folks as possible there to share the occasion. Even Bernie Forbes (who was
in bed!) managed to get there just in time as it flew off. One he owes me.!! So, back to the sea - the Pom's had
started, then
excitement again as a couple of disappointed Bee-eater searchers located a singing Serin on a bush by the playing
field. Out went the news again.Could this really be Selsey !! Back to the sea..............more Poms !
The number of observers began to grow rapidly.I think a good many got views of Pom's. if nothing else. Generally
the atmosphere was one of good humour.
(NOTE- I think some observers from other sites find humour at a sea-watch a bit of a shock sometimes.But it really
is part of the Selsey scene. Some may think it too cavalier - but we get the right result in the end. People are
encouraged to call out their sightings - even if they get it wrong on first instinct - once others all get on to
the bird it can be correctly identified - oh that some other sites would adopt the same approach. ) I digress;
As the Poms came we had the usual controversy - this time the "phantom five" - i.e.
five claimed by some observers away from the main group which apparently preceeded another five which then became
eight and were joined by a straggler to make nine . Or 14, depending on your outlook. Simple !!!
So the main group may well have missed five distant birds. Or not. Anyway, none of the main contenders are claiming
them, and at time of writing they are not in the log, pending a steward's enquiry. However, those claiming them
are reliable observers (they found the Serin I think.)
So, at the end of a long day, the Selsey log showed 34 Pom's - a respectable total.
A memorable day at the Bill. And what of the Pom King competition, I don't hear you ask. I'll tell you anyway....so
far the Bill has produced about approx. 55 Poms
(not sure of the exact total, but excludes the phantom five.) Early days yet - but the current leader is Dave Sneller
on 40, closely followed by Mervyn Jones, John Faithfull and my good self, all on 39. Watch this space............!!
Lastly, today 2nd May is back to normal - I stuck it till lunchtime only, leaving the ever-hopefuls still there.
Reasonable movement of Bar-wits, a few Commics etc but no skuas up until the time I left.
Tuesday 02 May 2000
Please note the new mobile phone number for Tony Wilson above.
News from 1st May
A White Stork flew in over Selsey Bill at 2.00pm and appeared to be dropping but no further sightings.
An Osprey over the Severals at Church Norton at 1.15pm
Eleven Pom Skuas E past Worthing at 6.40pm
Avocet and Wheatear in the Cuckmere
Tuesday 02 May 2000
From Dick Gilmore, seawatching records from Splash Point over the weekend, to midday Monday. Only birds going East mentioned.
Sat April 29: 16 Divers, 37 Gannets, 60 Brents, 265 Common Scoter, 20 RB Mergs, 210 Barwits, 31 Whimbrel, 2 Poms, 10 Arctic Skuas, 133 Sandwich, 70 Commic and 3 Little Terns.
Sun April 30: 3 Divers, 40 Gannets, 24 Shelduck, 10 Brents, 116 Common Scoter, 163 Barwits, 19 Whimbrel, 25 Poms, 5 Arctic and 1 Great Skuas, 31 Sandwich, 206 Commic and 25 Little Terns.
Mon May 1: 47 Gannet, 11 Brents, 16 C. Scoter, 63 Barwits, 23 Whimbrel, 2 Knot, 21 Grey Plover, 2 Avocets which arrived from the West at 0940, settled on the sea, flew east, west and finally east again at 1026. 15 Poms, 2 Arctic and 1 Great Skua, 55 Sandwich, 280 Commic and 2 Little Terns. Among a trickle of hirundines and passerines were a Whinchat and a couple more Wheatears.
Tuesday 02 May 2000
If you have not already got a copy of Birds of Sussex, your last chance may be here, stocks are now exhausted, but a small number of slightly imperfect copies are currently available (reduced to £15.00 plus £4.00 p.& p. (UK) from Mrs I.M. Simpson, Hardanger, Littleworth, Partridge Green, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 8JF. See the Publications page for more details.
Monday 01 May 2000
A Bee-eater at Selsey Bill on and off until 7.50am when it flew NW. Also a Serin there until 7.40am and 37 Pomarine Skuas past (including 11E at 6.06pm).
No sign of the Black-winged Stilts today
At Seaford 15 Poms by 10.30 plus 2 Avocets, 1 Bonxie and 2 Arctic Skuas. A Black Tern off there this evening.
At Horse Eye Level, Pevensey, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Greenshank and 1 Hobby + 2 Hobbies at Hooe Level.
From Derek Crawley:
Pevensey Bridge Level from 1500hrs
Peregrine near Middle Bridge
Greylags 8
Pevensey Bridge Level
Yellow Wagtail 6 [singles]
Wheatear 2 possibly 3 pairs on territory
Lapwing at least 16 chicks from 5 or 6 broods
Pintail [male and female]
Sunday 30 April 2000
The pair of Black-winged Stilts still present on Sidlesham Ferry at 6.15pm
The Bee-eater was in the Church Norton area from 1.30 until 3.00pm when it flew off south.
Sixteen Pomarine Skuas at Brighton Marina + 5 Hobbies in there (51 Poms so far at the Marina this spring)
Five Poms past Worthing at 11.35 + 4 Manx Shearwaters there
Sunday 30 April 2000
A Bee-eater over fields by the Severals at Church Norton til 1.34 only
Two Black-winged Stilts at Sidlesham Ferry at 2.30 at least
Sunday 30 April 2000
Three Black Terns at Arlington Res today at 10.45
Five Pom Skuas past Selsey Bill at 10.50 + 9 Manx Shearwaters and a Great Northern Diver
News for 29 April
A Common Buzzard over Moulescoomb, Brighton
5 Arctic Skuas and 300 Bar-tailed Godwits past Worthing
Three Hobbies at Pett Level
From Anna Whitehead
Pevensey Levels, long layby off A259 used by model airplane club, 8 a.m.:
Cuckoo, 1 heard
Reed Warblers, 8 singing males. Almost as many singing Wrens.
Swallows,2
Weasel, 1, good view , oblivious to us!
Pevensey Levels Nature reserve area, 9 a.m.:
Yellow Wagtail, 1, overhead.
Sedge Warblers, 4/5.
Reed Warbler, 2.
Lapwings, c.7/8
Cuckoo Trail, from Polegate north to Loom Mill,5 p.m.:
Chiffchaffs, 4/5
Blackcap, 1
Garden Warbler, 1
Whitethroats, 1
From Paul Troake
Summer plumaged Red-necked Grebe at Winchelsea
Sat 29 Apr
260 Whimbrel left Quarry roost after dawn along with 60 Bar-wits. Also one Greenshank on Quarry
and two Grey Plover.
Adult Little Gull later at Ternery Pool.
Fri 28 Apr
Sandwich Tern - 167 roosting at Ternery Pool, dusk.
Little Gull - flock of 6 at Castle Water, early a.m.
Common Sandpiper - 2
Hobby - 1, Rye
Thur 27 Apr
Firecrest - 1, wood plus first Garden Warbler
10 Swifts, Castle Water
Black Tern - 3 arrived at Ternery Pool at dusk to roost
Saturday 29 April 2000
A 1st Sumer male Subalpine Warbler at the top of the Lane at Birling Gap this morning but elusive.
One Pomarine Skua past Brighton Marina + several Med Gulls
Red-necked Grebe at Scotney GP
Friday 28 April 2000
Two Pomarine Skuas reported past Galley Hill, Bexhill at 6pm yesterday
Also yesterday at Arlington Res, Oystercatcher - 1, Turtle Dove - pair, Cuckoo - heard, White Wagtail - 1 on dam, Nightingale - 2 singing (Paul James)
From Cliff Dean:
Cadborough Cliff, Rye
41 spp: very busy with warblers & linnets
Nightingale @ 904194
Hobby
Beckley Woods
Nightingale 2 singing @ 860217
Turtle Dove 2
Garden Warbler 2/3
Footlands Wood, Whatlington
Crossbills heard in pines by car park
Siskin 1
No Tree Pipits at last year's site @ 766205
Barne's Wood
Tree Pipit 2 in song @ 763207
Crossbills heard in pines at edge of same clearing
Siskin 1/2
Thursday 27 April 2000
A male Serin flew west over Selsey Bill at 9.20 and then may have flown out to sea. Also 6 Velvet Scoters and 8 Arctic Skuas there.
At Worthing 7 Arctic Skuas, 1 Little Gull and 18 Little Terns past.
Yesterday at Brighton Marina 30 Arctic Skuas, 1 Bonxie, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 12 Little Gulls, 420 Bar-tailed Godwits and 80 Whimbrel.
Please note that my mobile number has changed to 07774 450554 - Tony
Wednesday 26 April 2000
Three Dotterels 4 miles N of Shoreham this afternoon but not present this evening between Truleigh Hill and Beeding Hill
A Nightjar at Roedean today (Phil Dunk). Hobby over Southwick beach
Two Med Gulls still at Arundel
Whinchat at Fairlight (Andy Dinsdale)
From Richard Jackson:
At least 6 Nightingales singing from various locations (the hedge north of the Centre, Netley's, The
Hanger, path to the Barn).
Sedge Warbler, Stonechat (male singing), from West Mead Hide. Lots of all Hirundines from West Mead Hide
and over North Brooks.
Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler(3),Cuckoo from Netley's and the
Hanger.
Hobby flew over and around picnic area at 12.35 - good views.
From Owen Mitchell
SIDLESHAM FERRY POOL
Avocet - 1
Black-tailed Godwit - 5
SELSEY BILL (0730-1330 hrs)
C/A Tern - 125.E
Diver Sp - 1.E
Red-th. Diver - 4.E
Sandwich Tern - 36.E
Fulmar - 5.W
Common Scoter - 35.E
Gannet - 14 o/s
Little Tern - 38.E
Shag - 1.E (170)
Sanderling - 1.E
Great Skua - 2.E (171)
Arctic Skua - 6.E
Whimbrel - 12.E
Bar-t-Godwit - 2.E
Little Gull - 2.E
R/b Merganser - 1.E
Manx Shearwater - 1.W (172)
Wheatear - 1
Ringed Plover - 2
Then left to look at the harbour; SIDLESHAM FERRY - VILLAGE AREA, where there were about 10 Whitethroats, plus 2 Lesser Whites, and a few Blackcaps, Whimbrel, House martins and Swallows. Then the pager gave news of a mega; a Brunnich's guillemot at Dungeness, last seen heading west about 2 hrs previously. There was nothing for it but to rush back to the Bill, just in case. In the end, the bird was re-located for a little while back at Dunge. So, another sea-watch at SELSEY BILL (1435 - 1615hrs):_
Sandwich tern - 17.E
Arctic Skua - 3.E
Little Tern - 2.E
C/A Tern - 5.E
Great Skua - 2.E
Whimbrel - 9.E
Swallow - 3.N
From Cliff Dean for 25th April:
Sedlescombe
Mandarin m.
Golden Pheasant m.
Nightingale 1pr @804192
Stock Dove c.100
Linnet 50+
No Hawfinches
From Paul Troake at Rye Hbr for 25th April:
Sea watch from old lifeboat house 0630-0840 hrs produced
155 Gannet
48 common Scoter
34 Fulmar
9 Bonxies
2 mergansers
1 Arctic Skua
1 Velvet
1 Kittiwake
Also SEO around Flat Beach for its second day.
Knot on Wader Pool.
70 common Terns, Ternery Pool, dusk.
1 Swift.
Tuesday 25 April 2000
From Cliff Dean on the Pett Pools Project
The pool will be drained on Fri July 27th.
Offers of help would be very welcome: for help with the pumping, phone Phil Luffingham 01323 - 845500; for help
with manning the weekend information board, Phone John Trowell 01424 - 813722
Tuesday 25 April 2000
From Clive Hope
The SOS outing on Saturday April 22nd to Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve was attended by 9 members including the
leader.
Although poor weather was forecast it proved to be a fine calm morning conducive to seeing and hearing passerines
in song. These included 2 or 3 Nightingales, 10 Whitethroats, Willow and Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs.
Also seen was an early Swift and all three hirundines.
The high water levels precluded waders but the Green-winged Teal was well seen by all; few other duck remained.
5 plus Great Spotted and several Green Woodpeckers were conspicous.
One member had a brief distant view of a male Hen Harrier, otherwise just Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were added to
the total of 55 species.
Tuesday 25 April 2000
There has been one report of a problem with the website, a javascript error message being displayed on leaving the website, has anyone else seen this problem? Please email Colin Law if you have experienced any difficulties.
Tuesday 25 April 2000
Seawatching from Brighton Marina prior to 9.30 produced 2 Black-throated Divers, 3 Bonxies, 4 Arctic Skuas, 3 Little Gulls and a Little Tern.
Yesterday a Cory's Shearwater was seen off Birling Gap flying east close in at 6.40am
From David Harper:
Red-breasted Merganser. Amazingly, two males and a female, NE over University of Sussex, 20 April.
Hobby. Downland, N of Hove, 24 April. Downland NE, of Brighton, 25 April. Downland, near Lewes, 25 April.
For details of Martin Kalaher’s survey, see Spring newsletter, p. 5.
Woodcock. Bird flushed in shelter belt, University of Sussex, 18 April. My latest record for this site.
Swift. One low over Falmer, 25 April.
Swallow. Seven colonies around Hurstpierpoint, 15 singing plus 4 non-singing [all seemed to be paired females],
24 April, up from 5 on 16 April.
Nightingale. At least 6 males, Ashcombe Bottom, 25 April - up from 3 on 10 April.
Whinchat. Male, Sweet Hill, [N of Brighton], 24 April.
Grasshopper Warbler. Male reeling, downland, NE of Brighton, 25 April.
Lesser Whitethroat. Singles at Ham Farm, Hurstpierpoint, 22 April, Varncome [N of Brighton] 24 April, Ashcombe
Bottom, 25 April; two singing, University of Sussex, 25 April.
Whitethroat. Numbers soar, e.g.: Ham Farm, Hurstpierpoint., 1 on 16 April, but 7 on 22 April; University
of Sussex, 2 on 19 April [1 since 27 March] but 12 on 25 April; around Varncombe [N of Brighton], 0 on 15 April,
but 9 on 24 April.
Garden Warbler. Singing, University of Sussex: one, 19 April; two, 25 April.
Willow Warbler. Numbers soar, e.g.: Ham Farm, Hurstpierpoint., 1 on 16 April, but 6 on 22 April; University
of Sussex, 5 on 19 April but 13 on 25 April; around Varncombe [N of Brighton], 0 on 15 April, but 5 on 24 April.
Monday 24 April 2000
Green-winged Teal still at the West Mead Hide at Pulborough
Green-winged Teal seen again at Snowhill Marsh, West Wittering (marshy area on the right hand side as you come onto the access road)
Little Egret at Coombe Haven (between Bexhill and Hastings)
Quiet at Pagham today, just Green Sand, Ruff, 5 Wheatears and Cuckoo
2 Black Redstarts at Fairlight.
Monday 24 April 2000
No sign of the Marsh Sandpiper at Pagham today up til 11.00
3 Arctic Skuas and 2 Bonxies past Seaford (Gannet still present on the rooftop there)
2 Med Gulls at Arundel WWT
News for Yesterday:
Kentish Plover female at the west end of Camber Sands (earlier on the wader pool at Rye Hbr)
2 Short-eared Owls at Beachy Head
Pomarine Skua past Seaford close inshore
Sunday 23 April 2000
A Marsh Sandpiper at Pagham Hbr behind the Information Centre between 3.00 - 5.15pm when it flew into the harbour. Also in the area Great Northern Diver, Short-eared Owl and Ring Ouzel.
The Green-winged Teal still at Pulborough - this afternoon from Netley's Hide. Little Owl and Nightingale near the Info. Centre
From Derek Crawley:
0800 Galley Hill, Bexhill: Swift 1 off sea
0845 Hooe Level: [TQ689063] 2 Swifts
0855 Star Inn, Pevensey Bridge Level: 1 Swift
Star Inn, Pevensey Bridge Level: 3 Reed Warbler [songs]
0930 Pevensey Bridge Level :[TQ675056] Whitethroat 2
0945 Pevensey Bridge Level: [TQ673056] Reed Warbler 1 [song]
0950 Pevensey NNR: Sedge Warbler [song]
Sunday 23 April 2000
From Les Bird:
SATURDAY 22/04/00 P.M. ARLINGTON RESERVOIR
Swift close overhead at 3.50 p.m. amongst a steady flow of hirundines.
White Wagtail on dam face intermittently.
Two Lesser Whitethroats seen, one in bushes at beginning of dam near farm, the other alongside footpath
close to hide.
Saturday 22 April 2000
Green-winged Teal still at Pulborough and 4 Nightingales there
Swift and 11 Yellow Wagtails at Northpoit GP
2 Hobbies over Pett Pools
Firecrest and Tree Pipit at Chat Vale but no sign of the Subalpine Warbler all day
From Richard Thompson:
Honey Buzzard seen briefly while pursued by crows,at Mallydams on Weds 19th. Honey Buzzard calls heard
intermittently during afternoon. Not seen again.
Yellow Brimstone seen today.
Also we are currently colour ringing all Herring, Lesser black-backed and Great black-backed Gulls that have been
brought in for rehabilitation. We are only interested in survival rates at present, so therefore all birds are
site marked rather than individually marked. We are putting on Yellow darvic with letters AAA. You can use this
email address for reporting sightings or ring me on 01424 812055 and either speak to me or leave a message on the
answer phone.
Thompsons@mallydamswood.fsnet.co.uk
Saturday 22 April 2000
No sign of the Subalpine Warbler at Chat Vale, Beachy Head yet today (by 10.00)
Yesterday no sign of the Sardinian Warbler after 08.00 when it when it disappeared around the south end of the bushes at Roedean
From Mike Hall:
06-9.00 West Worthing 115 Gannet west. 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Bonxie
Pulborough pm At least 2 Nightingale singing, 1 Sedge w, 1 Male Wheatear, Apparent fall of
Whitethroat 7+ singing around reserve
Friday 21 April 2000
A male Subalpine Warbler at Chat Vale, Beachy Head this morning until 11.00 but not again by 12.00.
Friday 21 April 2000
Just east of Brighton a male Sardinian Warbler at Roedean, in bushes on the slope just west of the school. Seen briefly yesterday evening and then showed well this morning between 06.45 and 08.00 but not again by 11.00.
An Iceland Gull over Brighton Marina last seen off Palace Pier
At Arundel a Med Gull in front of the Long Hide plus 5 Cetti's Warblers.
Yesterday the Green-winged Teal and Garganey still at the West Mead Hide at Pulborough RSPB
Also yesterday at Rye Hbr 3 Cuckoos, Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat
Recently 2 Black-necked Grebes at Arlington Res and a Glaucous Gull at Brighton Marina
Thursday 20 April 2000
At Seaford an adult Iceland Gull flew past Seaford at 6.35am + 4 Arctic Skuas and 2 Bonxies there.
At Pagham Pied Fly, and Cuckoo at Church Norton, also 2 Yellow Wagtails and SEO
At Selsey Bill, 3 Black-throated Divers, 7 Little Gulls, 8 Arctic Skuas and a good movement of terns.
Thursday 20 April 2000
Yesterday a Green-winged Teal, Garganey and 2 Nightingales at Pulborough RSPB
At Pagham, Peregrine, SEO, Wheatea>r, 2 Sedge Warblers + Greenshank and Green Sand on the Ferry
Wednesday 19 April 2000
Tony Wilson has taken over the role of adding bird sightings to the news page, so in future please send all sightings to him (email address at top of page). Any news other than sightings should be sent to me (Colin Law). This should reduce the amount of time I have to spend just keeping the news up to date so that I can concentrate on other areas of the web site.
Tuesday 18 April 2000
From Brian Fellows, Mon Apr 17:
Nightingales have arrived at two traditional sites in West Sussex - Racton Park Wood and Marlpit Lane, Woodmancote
Tuesday 18 April 2000
From Bill Harvey
9 April; firsts and (probable) lasts locally;1 singing Willow Warbler, Hartfield. 3 House Martins,
3 Redwing, 2 Sand Martin Groombridge. 4 Fieldfare Blackham
13 April; first Tree Pipits (a pair) Eridge
14 April ; Broadwater Forest... Tree Pipit 7 in song, Willow Warbler 5 in song, 1 pr Woodlark,
1 pr Stonechat, 15 prs Siskin (males in song, 1 nest found), 2 prs Redpoll (males in song)
plus flock of 30+, Crossbill 23 including at least 5 ad males and several streaked juvs, Bramblings
4
Tuesday 18 April 2000
Sun 16th April
2 Ospreys at at Arlington Res from 3.15 to 4pm
32 Arctic Skuas, 5 Bonxies, 25 Little Gulls, 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphins past Seaford prior
to 1.30pm
4 Arctic Skuas, Bonxie, 11 Little Terns past Selsey Bill + 2 G N Divers there
11 Arctic Skuas in one hour past Brighton Marina
From Malcolm Shaw
A Ring-necked Parakeet was circling over Bulstrode Farm, Ovingdean calling loudly throughout Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday 18 April 2000
From David Harper, University of Sussex
Turtle Dove. Singing, Whiteway Bottom, 17 April.
Cuckoo. Male, Whiteway Bottom, 17 April.
Tawny Owl. Road accident, fully adult [hatched 1998 or before], between Lewes and Uckfield on A26, 17 April.
Sex unknown. In a tetrad with no records in 1988-92 Atlas [whole 10-km square, TQ 41, had perplexingly few].
Swallow. 5 singing males at 7 colonies, Hurstpierpoint, 16 April.
Black Redstart. Adult male, Cold Coombes, 13 April.
Ring Ouzel. Male, Cold Coombes, 13 April. Two males, Cold Coombes, 17 April. My eighth & ninth, making
2000 by far the 'best' out of my 16 springs - but presumably bad for them?
Blackcap. Patcham garden, singing at dawn on 13 April, but not since.
Willow Warbler. Patcham garden, singing at dawn on 14 April, but not since.
Tuesday 18 April 2000
On 17th Med Gull, Wood Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat at Snowhill Marsh, West Wittering
From Dick Gilmore for Splash Point
Sunday 16th April:
17 Divers, 49 Brents, 123 C.Scoter, 44 Red B Mergs, 26 Whimbrel, 32 arctic and 5 Great Skuas, 23 Little Gulls,
and 98 Sandwich 2 Common and 20 Comic Terns.
Monday 17th April:
20 Divers,2 Manxies, 195 Brents. 104 Common and 3 Velvet Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, many Whimbrel, Curlew and
a few other waders, 40 Arctic and at least 14 Great Skuas, 4 med and 6 Little Gulls, and many terns. Undoubted
star of the week was a magnificent Glaucous Gull, spotted by Julian Thomas, which drifted close over us
and passed Seaford Head at 0815.
Mathew Sennit managed a quick trip to Pagham on Sunday (16th.), where there had clearly been a fall of Willow Warblers, and Lawrence Holloway had seen a Whitethroat. Chichester gravel pits produced 4 Common Terns and a Sedge Warbler.
Tuesday 18 April 2000
Excellent news from Graham Roberts that he is now able to confirm that the Sussex Heights Peregrines are incubating 3 eggs this year.
Tuesday 18 April 2000
The Wryneck was still present in Steyning yesterday early am but not subsequently
Tuesday 18 April 2000
15 Arctic Skuas, 2 Bonxies and 2 Velvet Scoter east past Seaford this morning
Saturday 15 April 2000
A Corncrake reported calling, but not seen, at Shoreham Airport prior to 2.15 but not between 2.45 and
5.15. Present in the rough area just south of Ricardo between the river and the airfield.
The Wryneck still present this afternoon in a Steyning garden
From Paul Troake, Rye Harbour
Sat 15 April
Adult or sub-ad Night Heron flushed from a large willow near the wood at c. 1040 hrs, then seen perched
in another willow before it flew off over the wood. Presumably still present in the area but who knows where!
Also a few Tree Sparrows, Willow Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Yellow Wags, Merlin, Green Sandpiper, 6 Swallows, 1
House Martin and a Whitethroat.
Fri 14 April
First 2 Little Terns in flight around river mouth and first proper arrival of Willow Warblers.
Saturday 15 April 2000
Friday 14th April
An Osprey flew in off the sea at Cuckmere Haven late afternoon and fished the ox-bows before heading north.
Thurs 13th April
A Wryneck was watched down to 8 feet for 20 minutes in the evening in a Steyning garden
Friday 14 April 2000
From Owen Mitchell
Weather beginning sunny and clear, cloudier later. Wind light N/NE 1-2
SIDLESHAM FERRY
Avocet - 3 Common Sandppiper - 1
Green Sandpiper - 2 Black-tailed Godwit - 17
Willow Warbler - 5 Blackcap - 2
SELSEY BILL (0830-1130hrs)
Gannet - 2.E
Fulmar - 1.W
Sand.Tern - 17.E
Arctic Skua - 1.E
Merlin - 1, fem. in N from sea (0849hrs)
R/b Merganser - 10.E
Common Scoter - 20.E
Little Tern - 8.E
Brent Goose - 2.E
Wheatear - 1.N
Swallow - 10.N
Sand Martin - 5.N
House Martin - 2.N
Redstart - 1, male, in gardens
Willow Warbler - 3
Chiffchaff - 1
CHURCH NORTON
C.20 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff
Whimbrel - 5
Knot - 6
From Derek Crawley
Swallow 10 Pevensey Levels a tiny trickle in two hours.
Little Ringed Plover 3 Down Level [TQ625076] flooded field west side of road..
Dunlin 2 in summer plumage Pevensey Bridge Level [TQ672056]
Willow Warbler 1 Whelpley Level, Bowley Sewer [TQ626107]
Friday 14 April 2000
The Society plans to have a stand at Bird Fair South East to be held at the WWT Arundel on 13th and 14th
May. We are looking for volunteers to man the stand for two or three hours each.
If you would like to help please contact Ron Pidgeon, rpidgeon@unmf.com
Thursday 13 April 2000
Two Ospreys at Weir Wood Res today at 12.30
We have had a suggestion that the best way to survey rooftop-breeding gulls in Brighton may be to hire an airship. Any other good suggestions?
From Cliff Dean for 12th
Marsh Harrier f. in the Pannel Valley @ 17.30
The visitors' book mentions a Crane in the Brede Valley on the 8th (one was at Dengemarsh on the 9th)
Wednesday 12 April 2000
Mathew Sennitt has asked me to remind everyone of the forthcoming national Seabird 2000 survey which aims to survey all rooftop-breeding gulls. Volunteers are required so that the SOS can get full coverage of these gulls in Sussex. The count will be carried out in late May to Early June. If you think you may have rooftop-breeding gulls in your area and can spare a small amount of time please contact Mathew at mathew.sennitt@buckingham.ac.uk
Wednesday 12 April 2000
From David Harper, University of Sussex
Buzzard. Mobbed by Crows, near Hurstpierpoint, 9 April.
Barn Owl. Road victim, yearling male, in TQ40 where no records in 1988-92 Atlas, 10 April.
Swallow. None at seven colonies, Hurstpierpoint, 9 April.
Redstart. Male, University of Sussex, 10 April.
Nightingale. Three males, Ashcombe Bottom, 10 April.
Fieldfare. Seven, Ham Farm, Hurstpierpoint, 9 April.
Ring Ouzel. Male feeding amicably with Mistle Thrush pair + three well-grown fledglings, Plumpton Bostall,
10 April. Male, Faulkner's Bottom, N. of Falmer, 10 April. Female, Mary Farm, Falmer, 10 April. Excellent day!
Whitethroat. Second & third of year, Waterpit Hill & Streat Hill, N. of Falmer, 10 April.
Chiffchaff. Non-singing bird feeding most of day, Patcham garden, 8 April.
Brambling. Three (1m, 2f) feeding with Chaffinch, Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting near Streat Hill, N. of
Falmer, 10 April.
Wednesday 12 April 2000
News for Tues April 11th
Avocet, Green Sand and Common Sand at Sidlesham Ferry
Manx Shearwater at Selsey Bill and a Short-eared Owl in off the sea there
Tuesday 11 April 2000
Yesterday (10th) two Short-Eared Owls hunting, and fighting, over the levels West of
Shoreham Airport. Viewed from the lay-by on the A27
Also yesterday, from Patrick Roper, a Cuckoo at Sedlescombe.
Monday 10 April 2000
News for Sun 9th April
Kentish Plover still at Church Norton until dusk
Pied Flycatcher at Selsey Bill and 2 Redstarts at Church Norton
Green-winged Teal still at Snowhill Marsh
Little Stint 2 at Scotney GP
Monday 10 April 2000
From Paul Troake, Rye Harbour
Sun 9 April
Male KP on sea bank just west of river mouth just before high tide with roost of RP's and Dunlin.
Drake Garganey east close inshore, early a.m. plus 2 Avocets east, 4 Knot, Merlin, 15 Brents
& 2 probable Slavs.
Castle Water - 3 House Martins, 25 Sand Martins, Swallows
Pett Level - 3 Velvets just off pools
Sat 8 April
Whimbrel on Ternery Pool
6 Sedge Warblers, Castle Water
Fri 7 April
Common Sand - 1 at Rye on Rother; 1 on small pit on north side of the road near east end of Northpoint Pit.
Spot shank - 1, Northpoint Pit plus 15 S. Martins
Scotney Pit - 2 Slavs incl 1 sum plum. 1 White Wag
Sunday 09 April 2000
From Cliff Dean
Beckley Woods
A nice variety of habitat - promising for later but pretty dull now until......I was just walking up the track
by Waterfall Wood when there was a loud KRUK-KRUK! and a Raven came over the pines, low overhead and disappeared,
croaking, over the treetops heading north!
I could hear it continuing to call fo a couple of minutes, until what looked like a second bird shot across the
valley below me in the same direction, whereupon the calling ceased.
I only saw the second one briefly, but it looked huge and generally Raven-shaped. There were a few C. Crows around
for reference soon after.
This is the first time I've seen Raven(s) in Sussex. I guess they were moving north, but from where to where? Or......what?
Other news
Sun 9th April
Hoopoe still at Chat Vale, Beachy Head plus Black Redstart there. Also Serin at Birling Gap
hotel 8.30 at least.
Kentish Plover still at Church Norton but flew into harbour out of view.
Sat 8th April
Hoopoe at Cat Vale, Beachy Head for its 4th day.
Kentish Plover present for most of the day in Pagham Hbr.
Purple Heron flew over Ivy Lake and A27
Green-winged Teal still at Snowhill Marsh, West Wittering + Cetti's Warbler
Redstart male at Goring Gap.
Sunday 09 April 2000
From Cliff Dean, Pett
Light passage Swallows, Sand Martins, Linnets, single Siskin, Rock/Water Pipit
Whimbrel 1
Greenshank 2
Green Sand 3
LRP
Yellow Wag 2
Sedge W. 5+
Merlin f
Ruddy Duck 2m at Pools; 7m+2f Pannel
Sunday 09 April 2000
Please note that access to Barcombe Mills Reservoir mentioned on 7th is by permit only. The Water Pipit seen there was a migrating bird and has apparently not been seen again.
Sunday 09 April 2000
From David Harper, University of Sussex
Cuckoo. Male, south of Falmer, 7 April.
Swallow. Five battling North at hedge height in sleety rain, Falmer, 4 April. Daily records since then.
House Martin. Two, Falmer, 5 April. One repeatedly flying up to over-hang on building last nested on in
1997, University of Sussex, 7 April.
Yellow Wagtail. Male, dry grass, Falmer, 6 April.
Blackcap. First female believed to be summer visitor, University of Sussex, 4 April. By 5 April, at least
10 singing males.
Chiffchaff. Territory count rose to 16, University of Sussex, 5 April.
Willow Warbler. Territory count rose to 3, University of Sussex, 5 April.
Sunday 09 April 2000
From Richard Jackson.
Friday 7/4, 1 Red Legged Partridge on the steps of Mid Sussex DC Leisure Services at 08.40. It stayed until
at least 09.00 and I managed to take a couple of photographs of it.
Friday 07 April 2000
Green-winged Teal still at Snowhill Marsh, West Wittering (SZ772985) also there yesterday 3 Little
Stints, Long-tailed Duck and 14 Eider.
Also yesterday, an immature Glaucous Gull flew past Selsey Bill at 7.45am. At Beachy Head, 1 Raven
on the west side of Birling Gap til 10.10
Friday 07 April 2000
From Robin Pepper, for Thursday 6th
Summer Plumaged Water Pipit at Barcombe reservoir today. Also an Osprey has been reported there on 2 occasions
in the last couple of days (but not when I was there).
From Richard Jackson for Wed 5th
2 Swallows over Wisden Ave, Burgess Hill at 13.10 flying north - east
Thursday 06 April 2000
Yesterday (Weds) a Green-winged Teal at Snowhill Marsh, West Wittering (the marsh is west of the access road). Also there 2 Little Egrets and a Greenshank.
Wednesday 05 April 2000
News of the Brighton Peregrines from Graham Roberts
Sussex Heights, Brighton
In Brighton, the Peregrines have returned to the SOSs nestbox on the 24-storey apartment block for the third consecutive
year. As in 1999, the SOS has a video camera positioned inside the nestbox to monitor progress. This year the first
egg was laid on 1.4.00. A second egg was laid in the afternoon of 3.4.00.
Shoreham Power Station
The new 100 m chimney complete with a large stainless steel Peregrine nestbox provided by the SOS was erected on
11.3.00.
A pair of Peregrines used to roost on the old chimney before it was demolished. It will be interesting to see whether
Peregrines re-establish themselves on the new chimney.
Tuesday 04 April 2000
Hastings Seawatch (Rock-a-Nore)
Sunday April 2nd 7.15-10.10am
Red-throated Diver 10e/1os
Black-throated Diver 2e
Arctic Skua 1e
Merg. 50e
Com. Sco. 236e
Kittiwake 42e
Great Skua 1e
Sarnie 133e
Brent 105e
Gadwall 19e
Common Tern 1e
Eider 14e/3os
Tuesday 04 April 2000
27/3 Wheatear 2 by the cycle track at Preston Park
1/4 Raven 2 seen again at Chat Vale, Beachy Head
2/4 Short-eared Owl Eridge Park then flew off south - Bill Harvey thinks its possibly the first for the
area (he also had a Cuckoo just over the border in Kent.)
3/4 Hobby - a very early bird reported by Fred Bradbury in the southernmost field at New Salts Farm, Shoreham
from 4 - 4.30
4/4 2 LRPs, 3 Avocets and a Spotted Redshank on Sidelsham Ferry Pool + House Martin,
27 Sand Martins and Swallow at Pagham
Tuesday 04 April 2000
From Cliff Dean for 3rd April
Pett
I've just seen my first Swallows: 1 on wires outside the Market Stores then, just after I pulled up at the
pools, another 5 arrived, joined a little later by 2 Sand Martins. Also: 3 Dabchicks on the roadside
pool and 3 Velvet Scoters offshore. I saw an Early Purple Orchid in flower at Icklesham yesterday.
Local interest
At dusk yesterday, I crossed paths with a load of Carrion Crows which were leaving Hastings Country Park across
the Fairlight Road just before the church. I guessed they were going to roost in the Holm Oaks around Fairlight
Hall. Can anyone confirm this?
From Paul Troake
3 April, Rye Harbour
1 Swallow in off sea
Black-wit overhead
3 Blackcaps
1 or 2 singing Firecrests in the wood
Yellow Wag over Castle Water
6 Little Egrets, Castle Water
Green Sandpiper over Ternery Pool
Pett Level
Velvet - 3 close in at high tide
Arctic Skua - 1 dark phase landed on sea
2 April
Fairlight - seawatch 7.15-8.45
Bonxie - 1 east
Brent - 20
C Scoter - 128
Shoveler - 8
Rye Harbour
probable Black-necked Grebe on sea
54 Brents east
Firecrest in wood
Yellow Wag
Sedge Warbler
1 Sand Martin
Common Tern
Rye
Common Sand on Rother
Tuesday 04 April 2000
From RichardJackson, on a trip to the RSPB at Pulborough on 3rd
Despite the weather it was a very pleasant day. Notable birds as follows;
West Mead hide produced 2 House Martins and 1 Swallow.
Between West Mead and Winneypenny 2 Wheatears (male and female) 2 Bullfinches (male and female) Green
Woodpecker and a Stonechat. Plenty of Meadow Pipits in the fields.
The Hanger gave excellent views from above of a hunting Kestrel,
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing.
Nettley hide produced 2 Swallows and a flock of 12 House Martins over the North Brooks, 1 Sparrowhawk.
There was a constant movement of Fieldfares throughout the day, presumably birds from the Continent moving
north.
Tuesday 04 April 2000
From David Harper, University of Sussex
Re: Colin Law's Osprey record. An Osprey flew North at very low altitude just East of University of Sussex on 17 March 1997 at 10.50. In that case it was Swallows rather than Wood Pigeons that attracted attention. My romantic side wonders if this was the same bird, three migrations ago, since this year's Castle Hill bird at 10.30 should have arrived East of campus at about same time as that in 1997.
Hen Harrier. Ring-tail roosting in surprisingly small area of game-cover on Downs, 1 March. I had first seen bird in area after sunset in January. Two ring-tails and an adult male regularly hunted nearby Corn Bunting roost well into dusk.
Owls. Hawk & Owl Trust organised nocturnal owl survey with emphasis on Long-eared Owls = http://www.btinternet.com/~long.earedowl/index.html. A group at University of Sussex covered 27 contiguous tetrads [108 square km]. Each tetrad visited for 1 hour between 23:00 and 02:00 GMT 2-23 March 2000. Minimum territory estimates were 5 Long-eared Owl, 14 Tawny Owl and 22 Little Owl. Pairing subsequently confirmed for 2 Long-eared Owl males, 2 Tawny Owl and 13 Little Owl. Sadly two yearling female Long-eared Owls killed in road accidents in survey area during February
[Delayed] migrant records up to 09.00, 3 April.
Sand Martin. Single, Piddinghoe, 8 March.
Swallow. Three, University of Sussex, 28 March. Single male at colony in rain, Hurstpierpoint, 1 April.
House Martin. Dead bird [very poor body condition] at colony, Bentley Wildfowl Collection, 1 April.
Wheatear. First male = Southease, 8 March. First female = Falmer, 21 March. Many subsequent records - male
entered burrow, 31 March.
Common Redstart. Male, University of Sussex, 3 April.
Black Redstart. Three inland records, in addition to regular sites on coast. Dark morph yearling male ['paradoxus']
in Hove gardens, 2 March. Grey bird, Hollingbury Industrial Estate, 24 March. Adult male, Cold Coombes, 26 March.
Nightingale. Singing Botes, Falmer, 27 March, did not stay. One, Ditchling Common, 2 April.
Ring Ouzel. Male, Bullock Hill [Woodingdean], 31 March. Male & female, Mary Farm [Falmer], 3 April.
Sedge Warbler. Singing at dawn in car park, University of Sussex, 3 April. This is a regular spot for Sedgies
on wet mornings. I wonder if the expanse of wet black tarmac makes the willows look more interesting at night than
they are.
Whitethroat. Singing, University of Sussex, 27 March.
Blackcap. Wintering male, Patcham garden, last seen 11 March, sang intermittently from 5 Feb. Singles singing
lustily from high song posts in same garden on 24 March and 1 April but absent next dawn, prob. migrants. University
of Sussex, males and females wintered, but two apparent arrivals singing 27 March and six territories occupied
by 3 April.
Chiffchaff. Wintering birds confuse picture. First bird singing high in woodland = Botes, Falmer, on 10
March, joined by second on 13 March when three more between Stanmer and Falmer. No more apparent arrivals until
21 March, but from then on numbers built up, e.g. 14 territories around University of Sussex by 3 April.
Willow Warbler. One singing at dawn, Patcham garden, 27 March. First at University of Sussex, 3 April. Only
other records = singles at Bentley Wildfowl Collection [1 April], Ditchling Common [2 April].
Firecrest. Male, University of Sussex, 21 March.
Monday 03 April 2000
From Raymond Dray news of an early Swallow seen today flying North over Copthorne near Crawley/Gatwick at about 12 noon.
From Dave Boddington
Lewes rail land LNR, Blackcap one female & another heard singing; Treecreeper one (both 31st
March).
Beachy Head 1/04/00: f Wheatear close to Belle Tout. Several flocks of Brent Geese @ sea flying E.,
largest of c.50 birds, smallest. of 7 birds.
From Stephen and Debs (whos surname I seem to have lost, sorry) news of an Oasis in Hastings:
"Gensing Gardens in St. Leonards. A positive oasis it seems to me . Most bird life in Hastings is Herring
Gull, Herring Gull, Herring Gull, but in Gensing Gardens we have ; song thrush, mistle thrush, blackbird, robin,
wren, the tits, treecreeper, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, jays, magpies, crows, jackdaws and in 98 I actually
saw a goldcrest! which I subsequently saw feeding with a group of long tailed tits."
From Derek Crawley
31st March, Cooden
2 Black-throated Divers on sea
2nd April Pett Pools
68 Sandwich Terns
3 Velvet Scoter on sea
From Richard Prior, Selsey Bill 2.4.00 (0630-0915)
Another good session,highlights this morning were:
Arctic Skua 3, two at 0700 and a third at 0840
Velvet Scoter,a flock of 8 at 0715
Common Tern 2
Plus:
Comm.Scoter 44
Sandwich Tern 53
Brent Goose 158
Merganser 27
Gannet 7
Curlew 3
Kittiwake 2
Fulmar 4
Turnstone 11
Wheatear 1
Sunday 02 April 2000
I (Colin Law) had a super walk round Castle Hill NNR this morning. A Little Owl, 2 Green Woodpeckers together, my first Blackcap (a male) of the year and my first Wheatears (Male and Female together). The highlight however was a 20 second period at about 1030. I had just come down from Castle Hill into Falmer Bottom when a flock of about 40 Wood Pigeons flew up. They stayed bunched together, flying on up, and even further up, then disappearing into the distance still bunched together. There is no way I would describe myself as an expert birder, but one thing I have learnt is that when birds behave like this then something interesting is going on. When it is starlings doing it then usually there is a Sparrowhawk about, but as they were Woodpigeons my initial thought was Peregrine, so I scanned the area hopefully, thinking that a good view of a Peregrine is always exciting. What appeared over the ridge heading straight towards me, however, was much larger than a Peregrine, my instantaneous thought was Hen Harrier, brilliant. When I saw that it had arched, slightly drooping wings my excitement was dashed as I thought Heron, and that it was surprising that the pigeons had been so spooked by it. Wrong again, as it banked away I saw that it was dark on top and virtually white underneath - an Osprey in fact. This all took only a couple of seconds of course, and a few seconds later it drifted North out of sight, circling in a thermal. Only two complaints to Fate, firstly if I had got out of bed five minutes later then I would still have been on top of the hill when it came over and would have gone right over me at about 50 feet and would have been in sight for much longer (on the other hand if I had got out of bed five minutes earlier I might have been round the corner and never seen it at all), and secondly if it had been a mile further West it would have been right over my garden for a super garden tick, except that I wasn't there of course. Perhaps I should just be happy my lot.
I wonder whether it crossed the channel this morning, which would have meant an early start, or if it roosted locally over night. Let me know if anyone has any information.
For anyone who doesn't already know there is a web site that has been tracking a number of radio tagged Ospreys since last autumn, and is now following them on their way back from Africa. It is www.rutlandwater.u-net.com/osprey and is well worth a visit.
Sunday 02 April 2000
Ring Ouzel 1 at Church Norton in the last field before the beach.
Firecrest 2 at Beachy Head
B N Grebe, Slav Grebe and 14 Barnacle Geese at Scotney
From Cliff Dean for Saturday
Pett
On sea: GC Grebe 30, C Scoter 10, V Scoter 3, Eider 1f, Brent 100 N, several S. Terns.
Migrants: Avocet 1, LRP 1, Wheatear 1, Water Pipit 1s/p
Sedlescombe
Hawfinch 3
Linnet 200
Stock Dove 150
Some delayed news from Patrick Lanaway on the Serin at Newhaven last weekend:
I and my Father found a Serin at Newhaven Timemills at 11.10 on Sunday morning - I put it on the pager from the
site and I am glad that some people caught up with it the same day.
Patrick has the seen the photo on the web site and says:
It's apparently the same bird - I thought at the time that it was a dull male rather than a female and the photo
appears to show this - the collar is reasonably complete but otherwise the bird was very dull - also, my bird was
with the flock of Goldfinches there.
Saturday 01 April 2000
From Richard Prior, Selsey Bill - 0630-0930
Southerly breeze and recent showers brought birds through closer than usual!
Brent Goose 169
Sandwich Tern 35
Kittiwake 3 (1 badly oiled )
Common Scoter 42
Merganser 32
Curlew 3
Shelduck 3
Fulmar 2
Turnstone 8
Eider 6
Gannet 14(all adults)
R.T.Diver 3(1 in full summer plum.)
Sanderling 2
G.C.Grebe 1
Med Gull(2nd Year)1
Variety is the spice of life !
Saturday 01 April 2000
Rye Bay Wildlife - March 2000
Rye Harbour SSSI - Incoming spring migrants were one of the main features of interest during the month.
The first were noted on 4th when a male Black Redstart and a Sand Martin were at Castle Water. Next
in were Chiffchaffs, heard in song from 13th and Sandwich Terns with five at Camber Sands (15th).
A male Ruff was with Curlew at Castle Water (17th). On 20th, the first Green Sandpiper was
heard at Castle Water and two drake Garganey were also there. Wheatears also appeared in small numbers
from that date. A Little Ringed Plover was heard in fog at Lime Kiln Cottage (22nd) and an early Yellow
Wagtail flew over Harbour Road (23rd). Another Black Redstart appeared (24th) and at least one drake
Garganey remained at Castle Water to the month’s end with three (two drakes) there (25th). A sudden arrival
of Sandwich Terns (25th) resulted in 120 roosting at Ternery Pool at high tide. A Firecrest was heard
calling in the wood (28th) and a House Martin at Watch Cottage (29th).
Many wintering wildfowl and waders departed during the month, although a few more unusual species were noted. Up to three Velvet Scoters were seen offshore on two dates. Bitterns remained at Castle Water/Narrow Pit until 20th, with a maximum count of four (12th). A few were seen and heard flying up high at dusk and heading off SE calling, presumably returning to breeding grounds on the continent. The ten Little Egrets all remained until mid month at least. The Slavonian Grebe remained until 12th, initially on Castle Water prior to moving to Long Pit. Brent Goose migration was not especially pronounced, peaking at 132 heading east (23rd). Three Smew (two drakes) were last noted on 12th. Raptors were generally scarce, with just two sightings of Hen Harrier and one Peregrine (4th). The only Merlin sighting involved one pursuing a Snipe and eventually catching it after it had been flushed by the observer. A Snow Bunting put in a brief appearance at the River Mouth (11th) and a Long-eared Owl was a welcome surprise at Castle Water (20th). A Brambling was heard from Lime Kiln Cottage (22nd).
Many plants could be seen in flower including Danish Scurvy-grass, Red Dead-nettle, White Dead-nettle, Common Whitlow-grass, Coltsfoot, Common Storksbill and Hairy Bittercress. Moth activity saw an increase with several species recorded including Dotted Border, Herald, Red Chestnut and good numbers of Hebrew Characters. Small White and Red Admiral butterflies also emerged.
Other Sites - Three Velvet Scoters were off Pett Level (20th) and a second-year Glaucous Gull was at Camber Sands (30th). One of the more notable insect discoveries of the month was a large water beetle Dytiscus dimidiatus, which was discovered at a site on East Guldeford Level. This nationally rare insect was previously recorded at just two other sites locally, although it is probably considerably under recorded.
PS First Common Tern today (1st) and 200 Sandwich Terns.
Male Garganey still at Castle Water.
Barry Yates
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
yates@clara.net
01797 223862
www.yates.clara.net
Saturday 01 April 2000
From Paul Troake, Rye Harbour
Thur 30th
2nd-yr Glaucous Gull on Camber Sands this morning
One or two drake Garganey still around N end of Castle Water plus two Sand Martins there.
Six Snipe flushed off the quarry, one of which was promptly pursued and eventually caught by a Merlin.
Wed 29th
House Martin at Long Pit.
Drake Garganey, Castle Water
Tue 28th
Firecrest - 1 in wood.
100 Sandwich Terns, Camber Sands.
Thursday 30 March 2000
2 adult White Storks were reported at lunch time today at Burpham Court Farm North of Guildford (Surrey). Presumably these were the same two reported by Bill Harvey near Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.
Wednesday 29 March 2000
From Owen Mitchell
27th March - West Wittering: 190 Bar-tailed Godwit, a White Wagtail, 2 Stonechat and a
Wheatear. Big deal I know but it was cold and very little about.
28th March - at West Dean woods - a displaying pair of Buzzards, 6 Crossbill showed well, several
singing Siskin, and several Firecrests (hard to be precise - brief glimpses only but there were several
singing birds at two sites.)
Tuesday 28 March 2000
From Chris and Pat Mulcock
A Marsh Harrier (looked all dark) flew high over Angmering this afternoon.
Monday 27 March 2000
From Cliff Dean
Sat Mar 25
Pett Pools
Greylag: 23
Barnacle: 3 flew over
Linnet: light passage >both E & W
(Rock/Water) Pipit: 2 heard >E
Sun Mar 26
Zoo Time at Sedlescombe.
I finally succeeded in tracking down both Golden Pheasant and Mandarin!
Both have been very elusive till now, but after hearing the pheasant call a couple of times to the east of where
it was before, I caught sight of it scuttling across the bare woodland floor in an old hornbeam coppice, later
glimpsing it through dense undergrowth as it continued calling.
The mandarins have been around for a couple of weeks but have always burst away through the branches before I could
get a good look at them. Today however, they helpfully perched on an overhanging bough.
No Hawfinches, and fewer Siskins, but a few Redpolls and Bramblings.
Monday 27 March 2000
I (Colin Law) was surprised to find a flock of about 80 Corn Buntings and 20 Yellowhammers on Newmarket Hill E. of Brighton on Sunday. There has been no sign of more than a handful of each for several weeks and I assumed the birds had gone their individual ways. Apparently however they had just been elsewhere for a while.
In Castle Hill NNR three pairs of Stonechat, one female carrying nest material. The Skylarks were singing on all sides. Two Green Woodpeckers seen and a couple of singing Linnets (the first singing this year). There appeared to have been an influx of Meadow Pipits, but no sign yet of passing Wheatears.
Sunday 26 March 2000
From Bill Harvey
2, apparently adult, White Storks very high north over Eridge at 0925 on Saturday 25 March. Watched until
out of sight over Tunbridge Wells.
Sunday 26 March 2000
From Les Bird
On 5th March, a pleasant Sunday morning and after a visit to see the rooftop roosting Gannet in Cricketfield Road,
Seaford which was present, and then along to Beachy for the reported Hooded Crow and Raven which unfortunately
weren't or if they were we didn'tsee them.
We (my wife and I) stopped at Tidemills - my local patch, and headed along the Creek on the beach side towards
the bridge. On reaching the perimeter fence of the timber compound, we met with John Gowers who was trying to scope
a small Finch he had found feeding on the rough ground amongst a flock of some 40 Goldfinches, also feeding with
them were a dozen or so Pipits. He had already noted its small size and Yellowish coloration to its upper breast
and neck-side, it proved very difficult to get clear views as it was always amongst vegetation, when it flew a
short distance we both noted a Yellow rump although neither of us were certain, Serin sprang to mind. After
more frustratingly brief views and not much more identification help, all of a sudden all the small birds flew
up and scattered in panic. When a Kestrel flew overhead we both lost sight of the bird and after waiting for 15
minutes or so only a few of the Pipits had returned, frustrated and uncertain we moved on. After visiting the East
Pier we returned and I was fortunate enough to relocate the bird again feeding with Goldfinches but very mobile,
I tried to follow them and managed this one photo [37k] as birds settled
to feed for a moment.
Although it's a terrible picture I feel it clinches the identification as a Serin. I had not reported this earlier
as the slides were only received on Friday (24th) and wanted to be sure before reporting it.
Coincidentally also received today, from Geoff Kennett
Serin at Newhaven Tide Mills today [26th] at 11.45 (461002) with flock of approx 15 goldfinches in the scrubby
area at the western end of the creek but on south side of the creek.
Look for an old trailer just behind the beach; serin was seen immediately north of this and adjacent to industrial
buildings to the west. Last seen approx 12.10.
Also a wheatear just behind the beach in the same area.
Sunday 26 March 2000
From Will Salmon and Marc Read
Saturday 25th March, Selsey Bill
1 Serin flew in and sang for two minutes then was flushed by a dog walker and flew west with a flock of Linnet.
1 Black Redstart in the garden with two upturned white boats.
1 Wheatear on the football pitch then flew on to a roof.
1 Sandwich Tern flew west.
Sunday 26th March , Selsey Bill
Morning Seawatch.
1 second summer Med gull with black Headed gulls.
2 Sandwich Terns
4 Gannet flew west.
1 Peregrine appeared over the sea about two miles out and flew towards Portsmouth
Other birds seen:
Common Scoter, Red Breasted Merganser
Meadow Pipit (1 Flew out to sea), Linnet
Heron (1 Flew out to sea)
Pagham HRB
10+ D.B.Brent Geese
2 Little Egrets
7 R.B.Merganser on sea
1 Spotted Redshank
10+ Wigeon
Ferry Pool
2 Avocets
5+ Teal
1 Green Sandpiper
Saturday 25 March 2000
From Dave Boddington some sightings from Lewes railway land LNR during March: Kingfisher (7th); Chiffchaff 2-3 from 7th on; Gt. Spotted Woodpecker (9th); flock of c.10 Goldfinches (7th); Treecreeper (14th); flock of 6-8 Redwings (24th); Grn. Woodpecker seen/heard numerous dates. Also on Downs behind Lewes prison (11th Mar.): Chiffchaff singing; party of 8 Goldfinches; flock of 10 Yellowhammers; one Skylark heard.
From Derek Crawley for Friday March 24th 2000
Pevensey Bridge Level NNR TQ666053 Teal c20; Shoveler c10; Pintail 2 male and female.
Pevensey Bridge Level TQ663049; still c 70 Wigeon present also just a few more Teal, Shoveler and
a male and female Gadwall.
Disappointingly no sign of a Garganey.
Friday 24 March 2000
From Andy Phillips, a flock of 230 Brent Geese flying East off Hastings between 0700 and 0730 this morning. Also a Bittern North over Alexandra Park, Hastings at 5.15pm on 22nd.
Thursday 23 March 2000
Tony Wilson is away next week so please send sightings to Colin Law.
A Great White Egret flew low NE over N end of Selsey Village at 08.58 this morning
Yesterday 3 Black Redstarts and a Wheatear at Church Norton. Also Garganey drake at the north end of Castle Water + Green Sand there. Nearby, 6 Sandwich Terns and 2 Med Gulls on the Ternery Pool.
From Derek Crawley
Monday 20th March 2000 Hastings Country Park [TQ866113] female Dartford Warbler.
Note male seen 13/3/00 same spot. Chiffchaff song. 10 Great Crested grebes inshore.
Tuesday 21st March 2000: near Sedlescombe, Hurst Lane [TQ784195] Redwing circa 10. Nuthatch 2 pairs.
Chiffchaff 5 singing. [0900 hours no sign Cliff Dean's Hawfinches]
nr Bourne's Farm [TQ794188] Fieldfare circa 80.
Tuesday 21 March 2000
From Dick Read for Pulborough Brooks, 19th March
Raptors:
1 Male Hen Harrier Hunting on the North/South Brooks
3 Kestrel
1 Buzzard flew S/W
Sparrowhawk
Other birds
5:00pm 2000+ Wigeon flew to a high altitude then broke into small flocks and flew north and east
1 Pintail
5 Redshank
20+ Snipe flew over head
1 Barn owl in the morning over the zigzag path
A report of a very early Tree Pipit
Tuesday 21 March 2000
1 Sandwich Tern, 10 Avocets, 900 D B Brent Geese and 1 P B Brent Goose past Brighton Marina this morning.
From William Salmon and Marc Read for Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve on Sunday (19/3):
1 male Hen Harrier gave excellent views down to 10 metres at Nettley's Hide at 1.30pm. It was relocated over the
South Brooks at 2.30pm.
Up to 7 singing Chiffchaffs
A pair of Siskins outside the visitor centre.
2 pairs of Stonechats
1,000 Wigeon, 20 Snipe and a Buzzard flew over at dusk.
Tuesday 21 March 2000
From Andy Phillips, Hastings - Seawatch (7-8am)
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Brent - 145e
Wigeon - 18e/2os
Shoveler - 11e
Oystercatcher - 12e
Curlew - 1e
From Paul Troake for 20th
Rye Harbour NR
1 Wheatear, river mouth (male)
6 Sandwich Terns
Long-eared Owl perched in full view in gorse bush at Castle Water Hide
2 drake Garganey, Castle Water
1 Sand Martin, Castle Water
No sign of any Bitterns at Bournes at dusk. The last I saw were two on 15th, despite looking three times since. Has anyone else seen them since then? Only one Little Egret tonight.
Pett Level
3 Velvet Scoter close in
40 Common Scoter
85 Brents heading east, late p.m.
