A juvenile female Goshawk at West Dean today, see previous post.

Between 06:46 (two minutes before sunrise) and 07:10, 30 Hawfinches arrived in the area around the flint barn along the Monkton Track, rather few for this season. However, from 07:30 to 08:50 another 40 arrived, so 70 in all. Some at least were feeding in the area, with three still showing at 09:22. Although mostly invisible in the afternoon when I returned, two perched up briefly at 15:50 when a marauding Goshawk (one of three seen) spooked them. Between 2 hr 46 min and 1 hr 36 min before sunset (16:40 and 17:30), 27 left the area towards their roost(s), a typical time range. These birds were very distant and flying away, so early morning is a much better bet though a 'scope is needed for half-decent views. Otherwise a constant passage of Swallows with a few House Martins and two Spotted Flycatchers were good to see.

Lovely to see SOS Council Member Mya Bambrick featuring on a BBC report about young people heading off to university. James McCulloch also features - I believe he is also an SOS member. They are part of the future hope for conservation in the UK - very best wishes to them in their studies. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-58558708

Three Ravens flew over my garden in Barcombe at 13:05 today making one heck of a din. Presumably, a local pair were seeing off an intruder. While watching them climb high into the sky still calling, eight Buzzards appeared and circled around together.

Great White Egret at Bewl Water again today.

At least three Wheatears on Eastbourne beach at 10.30 today - first sighting here for me.

A late afternoon/early evening walk along the east bank of the river. A Curlew Sandpiper (see pictured) associating with 3 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear and 50+ Linnets. Frustratingly, I couldn't relocate a flock of about 20 unidentified small waders seen only in flight.

For a change from Rye Harbour, Dave Rowlands, James Tomlinson and I did a circular walk around the Scotney Gravel Pit complex starting at Kent Pen wall. This walk crosses the county border, but all the good birds were in Sussex! We noted 67 species in 5 hours, cf. 91 in 7 on our last Rye walk. Highlights were our first 4 Brent Geese, a Merlin, 7 Tree Sparrows, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Greenshanks, 20 Ruff, 200 Golden Plovers, 8 Avocets, 65 Egyptian Geese and 4 Whinchats. Just like Rye Harbour, birds everywhere!

Six Cattle Egrets present today and yesterday at RSPB Medmerry south of the stilt pools visible from the path that runs below the shingle bank.

A Wryneck flew into a tree outside my lounge window this morning and remained perched for 15 minutes, causing great disquiet among the tits, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.