The TEREK SANDPIPER was present last night at The Midrips until 17.50 when it flew east calling loudly. It flew from the second pool and appeared to drop down into the third pool however it was not subsequently located despite scanning the pools until dusk. Around the pools there were also 6 Dunlin and a Grey Plover in summer plumage, a Snipe, Cuckoo, 2 pairs of Wheatears and a Barn Owl. Despite the Terek Sandpiper the birds of the evening were two ringtail MONTAGU'S HARRIERS that patrolled the reedbeds and shingle for around 30 minutes before heading back into Kent at around 19.00.

Good birdwatching around Burpham and The Burgh area; a pair of Swallows nesting in Burpham church porch, a Buzzard's nest located in a small patch of woodland, a Tawny Owl heard in Angmering Estate woods, many Swifts feeding over the fields around The Burgh, and a male Pheasant that flew up squawking from under our feet causing us both to shout with shock so the deer we were watching bounded away!

Whilst on a short cycle ride around Robertsbridge with my son - 5 Yellowhammers singing and, at last, a pair of Spotted Flycatchers close to Salehurst Church.

A Siskin calling over Firle village yesterday (from Firle Birds).

Spied the first Herring Gull chick of the year on my roof in Bexhill today,and then another perhaps a few days older on the house opposite. Cue squawking and constant mewing for several weeks, which my wife loves, but drives me crazy.

A fairly quiet early morning at Brighton Marina with small numbers of birds about: 3 Kittiwakes, a couple of Fulmars, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, a Curlew who didn't know which way it was heading, 1 Common Tern, 1 immature/dark phase Arctic Skua being chased by a Herring Gull, a Little Egret on the beach by the east arm and a lovely breeding plumage Turnstone with 4 other non breeding Turnstone. Then just before 8am a small number of Gannets which I thought I had missed seeing dive but instead turned out to be 2 adult dolphins which were on view for about 5 minutes until disturbed by boats heading towards them.

Woodcock and Nightjars on Ashdown Forest past the Forest Centre (which is on the Colemans Hatch Road, one mile east of the Wych Cross traffic lights on the A22).

Ref Bill Wye's mystery bird, it looks like a member of the Bishop family. The lack of black on the forehead and what looks like a white vent points to a Black-winged Red Bishop (Euplectes hordeaceus) which inhabits wet areas on the eastern side of Africa from Kenya down to northern Mozambique.

Walking down towards Five Hundred Acre Wood early this morning, I must have disturbed a Nightjar, which churred briefly (before getting back to a good day's rest, presumably). I heard a Redstart singing, too, just within the Wood, and Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, and Willow Warblers; and three Tree Pipits singing and displaying in the valley bottom. It was good to see a pair of Stonechats as I headed back - and to be grumbled at by a Dartford Warbler and a Whitethroat in the same area of gorse and heather.

The TEREK SANDPIPER, which was showing well at The Midrips on Lydd Ranges today, was actually within East Sussex (and also in Kent at times). Access is only possible when the Range is not in use and the red flags are not flying. To save a wasted journey you can phone the Range and enquire whether access is possible (phone numbers available on internet) or I am told there is a webpage with firing times.

I received the very sad news today (from Adam Bowley) that Jack Hunt was killed in a car accident in Hobart, Tasmania this weekend. Jack was well-known and well-liked by all the birders around Pagham/Selsey during his time here. He was actually born in England but lived for many years in Australia before returning here about fifteen years ago, though his dry humour and his enthusiasm for life made him seem more like a native Australian. He moved back there about 6 years ago, and after trying every state he had finally settled in Tasmania, mostly so that he could go on more pelagic birdwatching trips! But he was always interested in the news from Sussex, regularly viewing this site and quizzing me on what he'd missed when he rang up or e-mailed. He will be greatly missed by his mother and three daughters, and by all of us who were lucky enough to have known him.

Can anyone help with the identification of the bird shown in the attached photograph? Came into our back garden on Shoreham Beach today (still hereabouts), fed on birdseed on the ground and then flew up to top of small tree.

Two Red Kites circling low over Homebase at Broadbridge Heath around 10am before drifting off SE.

I saw a large bird of prey at approximately 11.00 in the Holtye Road area of East Grinstead. It was floating on the wind and had very jagged tips to its wings. Did anybody else see it who can perhaps identify the bird in question?

Whilst walking up to the hilltop by Golding Barn race circuit on the South Downs this morning at about 11.00 a Red Kite was very low above us - beautiful colours. Also present was a Kestrel, quite a few Crows and also four Common Buzzards. Singing Sky Larks and Yellowhammers plus a lone Swift seen near Truleigh YHA. Lots of blue butterflies seen when eyes pointed earthwards.

At Barcombe Mills a Hobby hunting along the river at 16.30 - good views for 15 mins. Several Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats. Also a Willow Warbler with a strange song. Each time it started singing it began with 3 notes of a Chiffchaff before bursting into the full Willow Warbler song. It was not two different birds as I was watching it sing and I had not been drinking!

A visit to Old Lodge this morning was very rewarding. Not one but 2 male Redstarts singing in the open, plus Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Coal Tit, and lots of Goldcrests. Then several Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, a Tree Pipit, 2 Wood Larks, and 2 Cuckoos singing at the same time. The final treat was a small flock of Crossbills flying down the “motorway”.  Didn’t actually see a Stonechat or a Dartford Warbler, but we are not complaining!