On Glynde Levels a family of White-fronted Geese (parents plus three juvs), 200 Lapwings and 30 Golden Plovers, the latter living up to their name in afternoon sunshine.

At Pulbrough Brooks RSPB reserve this morning we had a PECTORAL SANDPIPER, Dunlin, Little Stint and Ringed Plover showing well together, also Black-tailed Godwit and Water Rail all from Nettley's hide.

A Hobby was seen thermalling over houses in Furnace Green, Crawley on 25 May at 13.45, accompanied by an escort of hirundines. Went away in a fast glide SSE. Round here Sparrowhawks are not uncommon (one flew past later the same afternoon) but I was surprised to see a hobby in this suburban setting.

The Trumpeter Finch sticks mainly to the fenced off area viewed from the south west end of the sewage works complex. I got the 12A (or 12) bus and connected with the bird within a few minutes with luck and the help of observers that saw it the night before. Its about 30-40ft away near the bare patch of earth right on the edge of the cliff feeding on thrift seed. Really is a special bird if you've got the chance to go, I was supposed to be revising but hey.........

A Firecrest was present briefly at 12.30 with a tit flock behind 3 Southover Street. Long overdue as there is large numbers of crests/tits etc present daily in this little wooded haven. Other recent sightings include Grey Wagtails, Chiffchaffs, Great Spotted Woodpeckers etc.

Around high-tide today I watched 2 Black Terns fly north over the harbour, past a fishing Little Tern, towards Honer Farm. Also on the marsh by North Wall was a large flock of ca. 200 Grey Plover (some in full summer plumage) and smaller groups of Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and Dunlin (all including full and partial summer plumaged individuals). There were also several Whimbrel about, a large roost of Shelduck, a Greylag Goose, a very late Wigeon!, lots of calling Reed Warblers, Meadow  Pipit, Linnet and Swallow, a Cetti's Warbler and a Peregrine harassing the wader roost.

A low flying Hobby was a garden first last night at approx 8.15. It was about 20 metres up and heading as some speed towards Crawley town centre.

During the brief period of sunshine yesterday a singing Whitethroat was present in my student house's back garden on Queens Park Road, Brighton.

A Turtle Dove 'purring' in Hornshurst Woods, Rotherfield this afternoon.

Male and female Blackcap. Most recent of several sightings. Have been feeding on grape vine in our Portslade garden.

Minutes after talking with Bernie Forbes on the summit of Cissbury, I did see a group of Long-tailed Tits playing in the bushes in the Flint Mines. He didn't mention seeing any - but perhaps they are not worthy of a mention?

A group of crows over the western side of Cissbury Ring at 9am today - nothing unusual about this sighting - but this morning I happened to notice that some of them had white on the underside of their wings. One in particular had very noticable white across the wings. Is any reason for this?

Two Buzzards circling quite low just to the south of Cissbury Ring towards the golf course at 09.00 today.

I was quite excited today to receive an email from Bruce Elson, one of the surfers to my website...."Hello Valerie.... Hoopoe Challenge...Some time ago you set a challenge of sighting a real live Hoopoe. Over the months I saw, I think, two -- but always too far, too brief or no camera to hand. This morning I was cleaning the pool when a Hoopoe flew over low and settled in the tulip tree, above the pool area gate. I walked slowly and directly under the bird being careful not to look at him. Rushed into the house and got the camera. By the time I returned he was on the ground prospecting for food under the bird feeders, continuing for some minutes. I managed about eight shots on full zoom, but as he was always ducking behind the feeder and garden light poles there was only one half-decent snap." The crunch now comes..... I remembered that Bruce is not one of my loyal band of local surfers.... but resides in Botswana! Anyhow, if you'd like to see his Hoopoe you can view it on my feedback page of www.findonvillage.com

Why did the Heron squawk? This is not one of those jokes. Yesterday, I saw a Grey Heron flapping his/her way quite low over the waterless downland of Cissbury Ring. Every few seconds he/she gave a squawk. There were no other birds about. I've not heard a heron utter anything before. Was this just a noisy complaint at not finding any water..... or a cry for the attention of any other possible herons do you think?

A lovely afternoon at Cissbury Ring - this brought a flock of up to 40 Goldfinches to descend on the bushes at the base of the northern side. They then made off up the Tank Road. The call of a Ring Ouzel also heard.