This morning, in the meadow by the car park say 100 Rooks, adults and juveniles (pic, a juv to left of two ads). Also by the car park a male and a juv Stonechat, but along Monarch’s Way no chats at all, just Linnets and Whitethroats and, on fence posts to the south five Kestrels, a family I guess (pic of two juvs).

Young Swift in my box taking a look at the outside world. Should fledge anytime now - see photo.

Quail calling repeatedly 2.30 - 3.00 this afternoon, heard from Monarch's Way south of the Round Hill (south-east of the Bostal Road).
Also several Corn Buntings and a few Whitethroats in the area.

What with the luxuriant set-aside strips up here this season there comes a wealth of small birds, the most numerous of which is Goldfinch, flocks of which take to the stony track, presumably in search of grit, mostly by far, juveniles. Early pm today a pair of Raven put on their own air show, gliding and tumbling and cronking up in the sky for a good while.

Following Paul James' posting of two possibly breeding Spotted Flycatchers at at the bottom of Burnhouse Bostal, near Ditchling some days back, I've since returned a couple of times to this area that was my former local patch of downland. Early this morning for around 30 minutes I watched two adults and at least two juveniles around the tall ash trees there, delighted therefore to be able to confirm breeding. There may have been more than two juvs but they were very mobile and hard to be sure of numbers, though definitely at least two youngsters being attended by adults. By 07:45 they had disappeared deeper into the ash trees.

On foot from Ropetackle to the Toll Bridge, returning along the western bank, tide falling. About 28 Turnstones, with much flying around and some bickering among feeding birds. One Black-tailed Godwit, two Ringed Plovers and several Oystercatchers along the east side of the river. A juvenile Pied Wagtail was feeding on the mud near the Toll Bridge. Once again there was a Little Egret in the drainage channel near Ricardo, I assume an individual that has found a valuable food source away from its erstwhile companions on the river. A Dunlin in the airport drainage channel, and a Whimbrel noted in flight here. Sixteen Mute Swans. Also a Whimbrel at the Dogs Trust, with another two Little Egrets. 13 Lapwings from the viewpoint opposite the houseboats, and a Goldfinch at one metre range feeding on the seed heads of Viper's Bugloss. In the main river channel a Greenshank and several Redshanks.

A walk along the top ridge of the downs above Firle was very productive for the summer downland flora and fauna. Plenty of butterflies - common & chalkhill blue, gatekeepers etc. The BIG surprise was calling Quail (possibly two) in the long grass meadow on the south side. In 14 years I've not heard them here before! Very good news. Also singing Corn Bunting.

A juvenile Wood Sandpiper this morning in the Lower Cuckmere 1/4ml south of Exceat and opposite Combe Bottom.

Highlights of a walk to Amberley from Shoreham up the Adur and then along the SDW on Sunday were: two Whimbrel at Shoreham, a Common Sandpiper by the cement works, one, possibly two, Quail singing by the trail to the south of Steyning Round Hill, and loads of Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers, both still in good voice. Also, a Cormorant managed to swallow what appeared to be an impossibly large flounder.

Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail and 60+ Curlew heading W, seen from West Beach Promenade, Newhaven.