A flock of 20+ Corn Bunting out on the marshes, a Great Egret briefly by the River Ouse and close views of a female Goosander on the river close to Piddinghoe.

It's so long since I've seen (or heard) one that I feel the Mistle Thrush on Hollingbury Hill Fort in the fading light this afternoon is worth a mention.

An enjoyable morning's birding on the Selsey Peninsula starting at Selsey Bill where there were at least three Great Northern Divers on the sea (with a further 2E) plus ca.20 Common Scoter on the sea and two Mediterranean Gulls on the oval field. At Church Norton, the female Merlin was again on Tern Island, plus a female Common Scoter in the main channel, ca. 20 Pintail and 6-7 Avocets. Offshore were singles of Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Eider and Sandwich Tern. From the end of Church Norton spit looking towards the North Wall there were eight Cackling-type Geese. The views were distant so it was not possible to scrutinise them closely though looking at the photographs of the Cuckmere birds in 2017, my guess is that they were Cackling x Barnacle Geese hybrids. They later flew over the North Wall and headed inland.

Further sightings from the Selsey Peninsular today can be found on the Birding the Selsey Peninsula blog

The Shorelark still at Rye Harbour NR early afternoon in the SE corner of Flat Beach. Also two adult White-fronted Geese at Pett Level..

Approx 15:45 to 16:15 Two hours before high tide all waders gathered under the west bank: 23 Dunlin, 14 Redshank, 4 Grey Plovers (calling), 3 Little Egrets. North of Toll Bridge: 25 Lapwing adjacent to Ricardos.

From Lancing to Shoreham through the Downs. Downs: Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, big flock of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtail, 3 Kestrel, lots of Skylarks, small flock of Redwings and one Fieldfare plus 5 Stonechat. Shoreham: 20-25 Dunlin, 100 Lapwing, 3-4 Grey Plover, Curlew and Kingfisher.

Took a lunchtime walk to Splash Point. Some lovely views of at least five Black Redstarts feeding amongst the concrete blocks and around the big dumper trucks. Rock Pipits also very busy.

Whilst sweeping up the leaves in front garden a pair of talkative Goldcrests, briefly, kept me company- it’s usually a Robin. They flew restlessly in a triangle from malus to prunus to leylandii.

This morning here was serenely calm, the sea pancake-flat, the lagoon as a mirror. At sea a flock of 30 Common Scoter flew E, far out, while on the lagoon were seven Teal, resplendently coloured, and a Red-breasted Merganser, a male in in-between plumage! Also a Redshank and a Stonechat.

Highlights of the morning dog walk by the Millstream and Arun were two Firecrests, one each of Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Red Kite, Peregrine and Water Rail, and 30 Redwings. An afternoon trek to Sherwood Rough produced six Hawfinches, 11 Crossbills, eight Siskins, two Snipe, four Red Kites, a Marsh Tit and a Stonechat.