It has been an exceptionally good week, so early in the year, for up channel movement of Brent Geese past Birling Gap. 974 this morning bringing this week's total to 2346.
Added to that we recorded 534 Pintail this morning (which l think may be a record day count for Sussex?) bringing the total to 549 for the spring so far!

A strong spring passage today in much milder conditions on a SSE breeze. Watching from 8.50 to 12.20 up-Channel passage seen was Brent Goose 850, Shelduck 1, Pintail 250, Common Scoter 1, Great Black-backed Gull 3, Herring Gull 3, Kittiwake 2, Mediterranean Gull 5, Black-headed Gull 20, Common Gull 96, Red-throated Diver 3, Gannet 1, Oystercatcher 1 and Curlew 12.

Tim Inskipp watched for 40 minutes from 13.20 and noted 70 Brent Geese and 50 Pintails heading east along with 7 Common Gulls. Some birds passing west were an adult winter Mediterranean Gull, eight Black-headed Gulls and five Red-throated Divers.

Seawatching here for the last several days has been the worst I've ever known! However a change in the weather resulted in a modest movement this morning before 9am: 103 Brent Geese, 45 Gannets, 18 Red-throated Divers and 4 auks passed. An hour watching in the afternoon produced just one diver.

Male Eider having a wash and tidy up. 

On the 18th Tim Inskipp noted 30 Brent Geese E between 8 and 9.00. Also a flock of 14 Oystercatchers E - which were later seen passing Dungeness. I watched between 9.50 and 12.30 and noted 206 Brent Geese east and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 7 Common Gulls and 3 Oystercatchers. Seven Red-throated Divers were on the sea during this very cold day.

On the 19th Tim noted 200 Brent Geese up-Channel between 7.45 and 9.00. I watched between 10 and 13.20 and counted 410 Brent Geese east. It was again cold and 2 Oystercatchers and a very few gulls passed.

First ever Song Thrush in my garden in Lancing and also one singing in Shoreham for last 2 weeks and this is the only one I heard for last 7 years I worked here. Plus Grey Wagtail wintering near warehouse I work in.

In the woods behind Warnham Nature Reserve, 4 Little Egrets flying above North Horsham this morning before settling in the trees for a while.

Ringtail Hen Harrier quartering fence line, near North Stoke.

A quick visit to Iford brooks in the evening produced my first Black-tailed Godwit at that site and a Peregrine among the regular stuff.

Around 70 Brent Geese flew east over Brighton pier this evening at 17:06.