Birding Ellanore and East Head this morning proved very productive. A significant increase in the Brent Geese flocks in the feeding areas, we estimated 1500+ birds. Two Greenshank on the harbour side of Snowhill Marsh and a Dartford Warbler in nearby gorse. In the surrounding fields and hedgerows 15 Fieldfares, 8 Redwings and 2 Chiffchaffs. Female Goldeneye in the main channel and 400 Golden Plover swirling around over Thorney Island. Out on the Head the 2 Snow Buntings feeding amongst the tide wrack just to the east of the fenced off area on the northern tip. A hybrid type falcon flew over the head twice causing panic with the waders etc - it was strongly marked and looked as if it was a Lanner type bird. At Church Norton few birds and very cold on the exposed west side - a single wintering Whimbrel and 30 Knot were the only birds of note. At Selsey Bill 1 Mediterranean Gull and 3 Common Scoter offshore. At West Fields and Bracklesham Bay RSPB reserve 5 Stonechats, 50 Golden Plover, Kingfisher, Peregrine, 29 Stock Doves and 12 Grey Partridges. (Bernie Forbes & Dave Smith).

Two adult Mediterranean Gulls showing well down to a few feet with Black-headed Gulls at the sea end of Hillfield Road, Selsey. Two Black Redstarts at the western end of West Beach Caravan Park and another adult Mediterranean Gull there. Nothing of note at Church Norton which was very exposed in the NE wind.

Three Ravens flew south along Darwell Valley at 15.00 this afternoon. Other recent sightings include Cetti's Warbler at Glottenham Ponds, just north of Glottenham Manor, on Wednesday 29th October and a single Crossbill flying northeast over Darvell this morning.

I took a stroll with my son Daniel and my dog Scruffy this morning around a very cold but beautifully sunny East Head this morning. I was hoping to see the Snow Buntings which had been seen recently but came up with a blank. I understand that they reappeared after I had left. A Peregrine flew over the north end of East Head which probably put the birds up though plenty of Skylarks were visible either on the Head or feeding on the saltmarsh. Other raptors seen included a flyover Common Buzzard heading west towards Hayling Island and a male Sparrowhawk hunting near the car park. There were also around 100+ Linnets out on the saltmarsh and to round things off here, a pair of Stonechats showed well on brambles. Whilst having lunch in East Wittering a late flock of 6 Swallows and a House Martin flew over the shopping area, all heading east.

I could hear Blackbirds and Song thrushes calling overhead early this morning. A walk around the Bourne Valley found night migrants in cover - 25 Song thrushes, 12 Blackbirds and 16 Redwings moved inland from cover. Four Fieldfares, 3 Lapwing and a Brambling came in. Later a northward passage of flocks of Chaffinches began with some Bramblings, a few Skylarks and occasional thrushes passing over Hastings until late morning.

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.

One lone Shelduck on the lagoon within the country park. A total of 33 Little Grebes on the meanders and lagoon. Two Fieldfares flying over towards Seaford.

To add to Paul James' sightings there was an additional Black Redstart at the Old Trapping Area as well as a Firecrest. Today (31st) there were still two Black Redstarts at Birling Gap (one an adult male) and 40 Song Thrushes and 50 Blackbirds in the Beachy area but only one Fieldfare.

Looking from the top of Rackham Plantation, couldn't find a Hen Harrier over the Amberley Brooks this morning, but between 06.30 and 07.30 there were regular small groups of Redwings and Fieldfares (about 50 and 30 birds respectively in total) going NW, plus several Redpolls going in all directions and sometimes dropping into the birches nearby. Four Little Egrets flew up the valley at 07.00.

My first winter thrushes returned yesterday to Scobells Fm, Barcombe. Two Fieldfares were with at least 12 Redwings and 6 or more Blackbirds. Today the Redwings had increased to about 20. A Tawny Owl has returned to its winter day time roost in a Christmas tree on the edge of my garden.

A Firecrest was observed in scrubby woodland at Crowlink west of Birling Gap.

Slow going at Beachy Head today despite the overcast skies and easterly wind. Highlights were 4 Black Redstarts (3 in the garden to the east of the cottages at Birling Gap and 1 in the garden of Belle Tout lighthouse), a pair of Peregrines over the cliffs at Shooter's Bottom, a flock of ca. 40 Lapwings that departed high SW out to sea and 5 Mistle Thrushes. Also 2 Red Admirals. Similarly quiet at Portland Bill despite the seemingly promising weather conditions http://www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk/aa_latestnews.htm but not at Dungeness where there was a big arrival of thrushes http://www.dungenessbirdobs.org.uk/lateframe.html. (Paul James - Sussex Wildlife Walks).

A Ring Ouzel was calling at Hassocks station this morning but couldn't see it before I had to get my train. Also 50 Redwings and plenty of small flocks of Woodpigeons.

Two Snow Buntings still today feeding on beach at north tip of East Head to the east of fenced off area. Very approachable too. Tide was roughly 3 hours after high water.

I was surprised to see a male Black Redstart on my garage roof this afternoon. He was chased off by the local Robin but returned later for a drink from the birdbath and a quick investigation of my plant-pots. Also saw a Goldcrest and a flock of Long-tailed Tits passing through.

Male Hen Harrier over Amberley Wildbrooks at about 14.45 this afternoon.

A morning visit to East Head, West Wittering this morning gave fine views of two Snow Buntings where seen yesterday and a very obliging juv Wheatear. Snowhill Creek held 3 Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank with other waders. Two Redwings feeding in horse paddocks with a least 6 Mistle Thrushes made it a very worthwhile trip. (David Sneller & John Dodd).

After a bright dawn, with an increasing easterly, a single Redwing feeding high up on holly berries, here in our garden in Aldwick, Bognor Regis.

Continuing the fantastic autumn highlights from Warnham LNR over the last few days were the following: 26th - 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (still present 27th), 1 Peregrine, 1 Cetti's Warbler; 28th - 1 Great Black-backed Gull and 1 Honey Buzzard (flying SW 10.45); 29th - 80 Redwing W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Water Rails and at least 7 Marsh Tits in feeding station with a Willow Tit. The Honey Buzzard was only the 2nd site record after one earlier in the month and the Willow Tit today was the first record since the breeding population expired in 2004.

Two Snow Buntings at the northern end of East Head today near the fenced enclosure. Also 316 Brent Geese (including a good number of juvs), Red-throated Diver and Red-breasted Merganser. (Nick Paul).