Spotted redshank and 4 greenshanks on Great Deep. Whimbrel just north of Marker Point.

Managed to locate the COMMON CRANE this morning. Walking south from Southease bridge, I checked the favoured fields, but no luck, then I found the crane sitting in a field right on the brow of the hill to the east of Southease. I headed back to the bridge to alert a couple other birders who had been looking and was therefore surprised, when on the bridge, the crane was flying towards me, over my head and continued off high north until out of view! Nearer home I checked the Goring gull roost and found two adult Mediterranean Gulls and a single first winter, two of which were wearing green rings which I was unable to read. There was a report by Rare Bird Alert this morning of a Laughing Gull on the beach between Cooden and Bexhill for its' 7th day..does anyone know any further details of this report?

47 Bewick's Swans between Burpham and Offham, with 9 young in broods of 1,2,4 and 2. No collars or rings spotted, though birds rather distant, best viewed from near Peppering Farm. Flew into WWT reserve in three groups around 6.20pm, seen from river bank south of the Black Rabbit.

At Selsey Bill this morning 07.05 - 09.05: Great Northern Diver 3 os, Black-throated Diver 1 os, Red-throated Diver 1 os, 4E, diver sp 1E, Slavonian Grebe 6 os, fem Common Scoter still 1 os plus 2E, Brent Goose 4W, Great Crested Grebe 5 os, Red-breasted Merganser 10 os 7W, 2E, and 5 ad Mediterranean Gull on beach.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE to the south of the Long Car Park (Isle of Thorns) flew off and landed near Chelwood Vachery mid-late morning. Also pair of Crossbills in flight (plus others heard) and fly-over Wood Lark.

The COMMON CRANE flew N from Southease Bridge late morning - not seen again all day. Two Reed Buntings in reeds there. Avocet on scrape by Cuckmere river mouth early morning.

Two pairs of Lapwings displaying and calling in fields of free range chicken farm near entrance to Bedgebury Pinetum. This land is fenced to prevent access by foxes so potentially good nesting site? Breeding lapwings are few and far between in this part of the Weald now, so perhaps an encouraging sign.

A Bittern flew up from the reedy field behind the Premier Inn at Shinewater Lake (Eastbourne) and circled twice above us before heading towards the reed fringing the lake at 4pm.

A Barn Owl hunting along the river and field from Nettley's hide (Pulborough Brooks) and 1 Stock Dove.

The COMMON CRANE was just south of Southease bridge (a few hundred metres) on the west side of the River Ouse this morning (Friday). It was feeding in the shallow floods amongst the flock of sheep.

At least 14 Long-tailed Tits seen in birch trees beside Hawkings Pond, Mannings Heath this afternoon.

After stopping to answer my phone in a lay-by on the A27 Lewes bypass, a Red Kite flew over the road in the direction of Lewes Castle.

At Pulborough Brooks RSPB a Red Kite seen from Winpenny Hide over south brooks in morning. Pair of Crossbills on Wiggonholt Common (possibly looking to hold territory?). Hen Harrier at Amberley Wildbrooks at 1.45pm.

From Rackham this afternoon the Wildbrooks were full of duck. I counted over 650 though doubtless more were present. A flock of ca. 40 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Snipe were also seen. A Barn Owl was seen quartering the other other side of the brooks and later another (or same) came much closer. A ringtail Hen Harrier came through twice (assuming it as the same bird) hunting low over brooks and causing consternation amongst the Teal and Lapwing.

Parked the Earnley Concourse Minibus on the south side of Chichester Railway Station this evening waiting for guests, and witnessed a spectacular display by several thousand Starlings putting on a great show of shape, form and movement. Several times a Sparrowhawk flew through the flock but seemingly unsuccessful. At 18.08 the flock dived down into the adjacent trees and bushes and set up a chorus of squeaks and whistles. Undeterred a Sparrowhawk continued to circle the roost and make quick sorties into it, quite magnificent to watch at close quarters and circling the station street lamps. Must get the minibus washed next week, covered in Starling poo!

Whilst visiting my Dad in the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath this evening, at least 250 Pied Wagtails came in to roost in the small internal garden, a super sight and safe from predation.

Chris Lowmass saw a Red Kite flying alongside the A27 between Firle and Glynde at 08.50 this morning. (Report via Dick Gilmore from Chris Lowmass, whose computer is out of action!)

A lovely bright sunny morning with only a light NW breeze. Our first birding stop today was East Head athough with a low tide expectations were not running too high. Very few duck or grebes out in the open water with only scatterings of Great Crested Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers to be found. In the far distance over towards Thorney and Pilsey clouds of Knot and Golden Plover wheeling around but little else. We flushed a lone Jack Snipe from the dune slack. Fishbourne Creek was full of common birds although we only found the wintering Little Stint, 14 Goldeneye and 2 Rock Pipits of note. At West Dean Woods at least ten Marsh Tits in song, plus a few flocks of Siskins and a couple of Redpolls. In with the Chaffinches we counted at least 20 Bramblings. Several roving parties of Crossbills (20 birds counted) chipping with one or two birds breaking into song. Raven seen a couple of times cronking over and two Tawny Owls hooting to each other. (Bernie Forbes & Dave Smith).

During an extended period at the reservoir several nice sightings were made, sadly the Bittern was not one of them, I saw it on the 13th but have no news since. Today at least five Grey Heron nests were in possession of interested pairs, the Pochard numbers seem to have reduced though. Mandarin are still evident, the males looking splendid. At the feeders the usual mix of tits and finches included three Marsh and a Coal Tit, but generally it was quiet. At the dam it was also very quiet on the water, however the area below the dam produced several Wrens, also Grey Waqtail, a few Goldcrests and Marsh Tit whilst the lagoon here produced two male Tufted Duck and a superb group of at least ten Bullfinches, five being males. In the car park, Nuthatch and Treecreeper were very evident, whilst three Crossbills (two males and an assumed female) flew in and rounded off the day making the effort slightly more rewarding.

A good session at the bottom of Sea Lane, Ferring this afternoon with 1 Black Redstart, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Redwing and 2 Mediterranean Gulls in the Goring roost.