A further updated set of Sussex record decisions (as of 20th June 2018) from the SOSRC and BBRC is available in the Records section of the site. This includes some BBRC decisions relating to 2017 records.

Having not been in a fit state last night to visit Church Norton, I was able to get there at the crack of dawn this morning. Thankfully our Royal Highness was on show until 04.38 when it decided to fly off and head out to sea. I left at 08.00 and the bird had not returned. (No further sign by 18.45 today - Ed)

Two hours dog walking in the southern section of the Knepp Estate this morning produced for me 3 Turtle Doves (2 very vocal from exposed branches and one sat on telephone wires), 17 Mistle Thrushes and 2 Garden Warblers.

A picture of the American Royal Tern at Church Norton this evening.

Another record shot of this afternoon's Royal Tern at Church Norton, once it had made itself at home amongst the Sandwich Tern colony!

Very happy that what I thought must have been the Elegant Tern from last year, turns out to be an American Royal Tern! Attached one of my record shots from this afternoon when I first found the bird on the mud at Church Norton, dwarfing the adjacent Sandwich Tern!

The bird reported earlier today as the returning Elegant Tern has been re-identified as a ringed AMERICAN ROYAL TERN previously seen in N France and the Channel Islands. Still present until at least 20:00 on Tern Island in Pagham Harbour viewable from the shingle bar near the hide at Church Norton. With parking at Church Norton likely to be at a premium tomorrow, park alternatively at the RSPB Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre on the B2145 south of Sidlesham village, from where it is about 30 minutes walk to Church Norton.

A short visit to Lock Farm near Partridge Green today produced a Turtle Dove. First heard 'purring' close to the river, followed by 2 brief sightings.

Plenty of evidence of breeding success at Pagham Lagoon and the Breech Pool, although the water there was too deep for any waders. Two drake Wigeon was a surprise, and the only wader of note was a Whimbrel. It seems all the excitement was over the other side!
At Ivy Lake, good to see Pochard with a brood (see photo), not a common breeder at all in Sussex, and I even saw Cetti's Warbler young!

The five pairs of Common Terns have now hatched 14 chicks, but I suspect there are 15. Adults are protecting young well, every time a Herring or Lesser Black-backed Gull or a surprise Mediterranean Gull comes too close all ten adults gang up and chase the intruder off. Two each of Kingfisher, Reed Warbler and Swift around.