On west side of lower Cuckmere this morning I didn't see much but returning to my car at Exceat Bridge a Hawfinch flew from the hawthorn hedge about 100m south of there, circled in front of the Golden Galleon twice, made as if to settle in a hedge there then flew east across the river towards Living World at 12.10, a big surprise for me especially since as many as 100 walkers had probably passed here already today including me on the outward trek.

A GREY PHALAROPE on Flat Beach flood, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. (From www.rxwildlife.org.uk).

In darkness and light rain, at 21.00, I heard the trilling call of a WAXWING as it passed overhead as I walked back to the car in Donnington (on the edge of Chichester) this evening.

First ever Goldcrest I have seen in my garden in Crawley this morning. Flitting around with a group of Blue Tits.

A great day spent on Thorney Island saw us witness a beautiful rainbow in the harbour followed by plenty of waders including Curlews, Greenshanks and plenty of Oystercatchers. Brent Geese were busy. The highlights for us were the close sighting of a male Kestrel (see photo) close to the security gate, a Marsh Harrier around the south of the island and on our return two Short-eared Owls flying/quartering and generally showing off near to the landing lights. Good viewing of one perching on a thorny bush near the Deeps as we came back through the security gate. (Dave Frohock & Ian Sparkes).

A good day's birding was had at Thorney Island today... Whilst taking shelter from the rain in a bunker, a large female Peregrine flew past just metres above my head - obviously completely oblivious to my presence! Ringtail Hen Harriers were seen three times around the island - although of course they could have amounted to the same bird! A Common Scoter was on the sea near Pilsey Island, and two Short-eared Owls were hunting over the deeps at dusk. The only thing mssing was any Merlins!

A few Redwings flying over in the last few days, but far bettering them was 3 late Swallows aroung Kingsmead (Seaford) this morning.

A female Ring Ouzel seen today at Cuckmere Haven in the bushes near the cliffs on the east side of the river. Many of the usuals around including a Kingfisher, 35 Little Grebes, 5 Rock Pipits, Redshank, Wigeon and a single Brent Goose in with the hundreds of Canadas. Late news from 4 Nov birding with Sue Phillips, a Raven, a Peregrine, 3 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap at Crowlink. Two Black Redstarts in the Coastguard Cottages gardens at Birling Gap thanks to Nick Paul. Another Blackcap at Horseshoe Plantation and two Redwings at Shooters Bottom.

My wife called me to the window to look at this strange bird. I said it looked like a Pied Wagtail, but it was not your normal wagtail that struts about wagging its tail every time it stopped. This one was very much lighter in colour, a lot of white on the head, and more grey than black on the top of its head. I tried to get a photo but it was very timid and flew off as soon as it saw me. I do believe this was a White Wagtail. The time of sighting was 13.20 in my garden at Petworth.

An enjoyable day birding in mild and still conditions while leading a small group of Geography students. Like Pete I noticed the relatively good numbers of Redshank (normally at best 2). A Common Snipe was flushed from a creek on meanders and I watched 4 Curlew arrive in from the coast. A small movement of 12 Skylarks crossed the valley E-W calling. Two Peregrines were spotted at Haven Brow before the rain set in around 13.45. Otherwise most of the usual suspects with good numbers of Little Grebes now, 3 Brent Geese on the meanders, and a Kingfisher heard along the drainage ditch near entrance to the park. Also a tight flock (ca. 25) of dark looking ducks out to sea assumed to be Common Scoter but not certain.

Morning spent out on East Head; the sea was absolutely flat calm and despite the light drizzle birding conditions were just perfect. The weather certainly produced hordes of dog walkers (who show no regard for any fenced off area). We had brilliant views of the 3 Snow Buntings feeding in the tide wrack and vegetated habitat near and in the fenced off part of the beach at the northern end of the Head. Out in the harbour 3 Slavonian Grebes, 20+ Great Crested Grebes, 70 Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 Common Scoters. We missed the ringtail Hen Harrier that flew out from Pilsey Island to Ella Nore. At Pagham Harbour the Black necked Grebe was very difficult to find on the lagoon and it took us two goes before it gave itself up. Out in the harbour we had fantastic views of a lovely male Merlin sitting on a log showing its rosy suffused breast. We heard a Spotted Redshank and Greenshank calling and found a single Avocet in White's Creek. (Bernie Forbes & Dave Smith).

There might have been two but I only saw one very vocal Grey Wagtail in my garden at Birchanger, Balcombe at about 3pm.

An afternoon circuit of the North Wall and back fields. A flock of 16 Fieldfares in the Halsey Farm area. During the week there has been a steady increase of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes and today there were 38 and 18 respectively. The Black-necked Grebe was on White's Creek. Every hawthorn tree was laden with berries and Woodpigeons, I reckoned 1600 of the latter. Wigeon had taken advantage of the wet fields and I counted 580 but no sign yet of Brent Geese. Supporting cast of 4 Stonechats, 17 Magpies, 17 Reed Buntings and 11 Little Egrets.

A circuit of the park today produced a total of 11 Redshank in various locations, 6 Meadow Pipits bathing in pond close to west bank of river, a fly over of 5 Teal, followed by 4 male Tufted Duck. Wigeon numbers on the "Innings" around 20 with many more heard across the river. A Water Rail seen at north end of "Innings" with another returning it's calls from further down. A lone female Tufted Duck at very south of "Innings". Among the large number of Mallard on the lagoon were 3-4 Gadwall. One Curlew flying over. Nothing on beach probably due to the monster trucks moving shingle about. One Ring Ouzel showing fairly well in bushes across river towards Coastguard Cottages.

As no-one seems to have mentioned them, a brief resume of various sightings: a party of 5 redhead Goosander were on the sea/harbour around Pagham Spit (thanks Andy House); also the Black-necked Grebe, 2 Goldeneye and a 1w drake Scaup on the Lagoon. A Peregrine was hunting the harbour, also a Grey Wagtail and a few Siskins at Church Norton. A Ring Ouzel was also reported from The Severals and a Woodcock was found (not by me) in the Discovery area!

A 2-hour visit to the Gap (Atherington) on a still, cloudy morning. Not much to report: a male Blackcap, 12 Goldcrests and 2 Chiffchaffs in the bushes and 30 Siskins, 120 Goldfinches and 5 Redpolls heading E overhead.Three Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 8 Grey Partridges in the area.