A small easterly movement of Common Scoters this morning, several groups totaling 46; also an auk and an adult Mediterranean Gull

As I was driving into Brighton at 11:30 this morning I could see A large raptor circling above the withdean stadium area. At first I thought it was a Buzzard ,but as it turned and started cruising north, the size, bulk and obviously visible fingers made me realise it was probably an eagle. Unfortunately unable to stop to follow its progress.

Yesterday morning at Church Norton, on the rising tide, was a beautiful gathering of some 200 Mediterranean Gulls, while terns were say 80 Sandwich Terns, a few Little Terns ( pic of one top left) and just three Common Terns ( pic of one top right). Also present were two Whimbrel ( pic middle top), a Curlew and two Bar-tailed Godwits. Seen with Andrew House and Owen Mitchell.

The morning watch produced two late Arctic Skuas E. Quiet in the afternoon apart from 20 Sandwich Terns fishing until 1000 plus gulls, mostly Herring Gulls started fishing to the W of here around 17.30.
A Goldcrest was singing in our garden.

Walk around downland on Mill Hill today produced several orchids and many other downland flowers, but also two Corn Buntings.

An early start for Castle Water with James T produced a fine male Yellow Wagtail, at least 200 Swifts and a Cuckoo. Pleased to see two Great Black-backed Gull chicks on their Hastings roof-my earliest date here by one day !
An hours seawatch in the afternoon saw 6 adult Mediterranean Gulls E, and 30 Sandwich Terns fishing.

Lots (37+) of Swifts with a couple of House Martins under the oppressive sky yesterday at Lewes Brooks. No waders there for me since 25/26 May when had Avocet, Little Ringed Plover and tundrae ssp.Ringed Plover. Cattle Egret with young in nest at pagham harbour and a couple of foraging Little Terns last weekend. Pic of obliging male Kestrel.

There this morning 0810-1140, along the east side, down to the tip of Pagham Spit, joined by Andrew House, we looked across to the Tern Islands where there was a constant motion of Black- headed Gulls, Sandwich Terns and Little Terns, the latter sometimes rising up en masse when as many as 60 were estimated. The walk down had yielded just five Grey Plover and two Curlew but here, on the shingle spit by the islands were about 200 small waders roosting against the high tide, low though it was - mostly Dunlin but some Ringed Plover, at least six Sanderling and two Turnstone. On the east side had been a pair of Gadwall briefly. In front of the island had been a 2CY Common Gull (pic attached), unusual in summertime here and on the island was a pair of Oystercatcher, at least one Ringed Plover and in flight one Mediterranean Gull.

There were 10 of us on the "Birds of the evening" walk at Ashdown Forest Old Airstrip under acceptable though not balmy June evening skies. Heading west along the 'airstrip' we paused a number of times to listen to distant bird song including Cuckoo - first time this has appeared on any of my many 'Birds of the evening' walks here - plus Willow Warbler; Chiffchaff; Woodpigeon; Blackbird; Song Thrush. A hidden Dartford Warbler provided a scratchy warble and occasional harsh calls. Around 21:10 we were standing at the selected 'here there be Nightjars' spot listening to Blackbird and Song Thrush song. Eventually some distant churring fitfully started from at least 2 Nightjar plus some distant hoots from 2 Tawny Owl. Churring and occasional frog-like calls came closer and eventually there was a brief glimpse but thereafter both calls and churring ceased and were not heard again as we returned to our cars, as we left it began drizzling. Thanks to all for good company and to Martin for leading.

Peregrines again, one perched high on a dead tree top, viewed looking to the north from the riverside path. The other appearing in flight, making two circling passes before flying off.

The perched bird has an orange ring on the left leg.