The Bird of the Week was a superb singing male Eastern Subalpine Warbler, found in the scrub under the cliff edge at Cow Gap (Beachy Head) on 12th and still present on 17th (photo by Sara Humphries attached). This was a fantastic find involving what is potentially a first for Sussex, the bird’s status in the county currently uncertain following the IOC’s decision to split the “Subalpine Warbler” taxon into three distinct species (“Eastern”, “Western” and “Moltoni’s”). I was fortunate enough to see it, albeit briefly, on 13th, although it was quite depressing to hear that one or two birders had been using playback in order to get better views, or better photographs – it always amazes me how some people think, still, that this is OK!
Many were treated to some great views of Long-tailed Duck this week: an adult drake was at Tide Mills (Newhaven) on the 13th and what I guess was the same bird was found on the meanders at Cuckmere Haven nearby on 15th (and was still present there on 17th). A pair of Garganey was present all week at Pulborough Brooks and another was at Rye Hbr on 12th.
An adult Russian White-fronted Goose was at Rye Hbr on 16th.
It was apparently another poor week for Poms, with just one Pomarine Skua noted off Beachy Head on 14th. There were two 2cy Little Gulls at Church Norton present on 14th and they were still there on 16th when a Roseate Tern put in an appearance. There were two Roseate Terns at Pagham Hbr on the following day.
A Curlew Sandpiper was at Flat Beach (Rye Hbr) on 16th and Temminck Stints were still present at Pett Level with three birds there on 16th. Another Temminck’s Stint was found at Sidlesham Ferry on 17th.
A Common Crane was seen flying over the A27 Polegate bypass on 15th and a Glossy Ibis was seen from near the North Wall at Pagham Hbr on 16th and 17th.
Great to hear that Honey-buzzards are back! There were birds seen once more at Woolbeding Hill in West Sussex and others were seen further east at Llama Park Viewpoint on 16th and North Chailey on 17th. Some observers at Cow Gap were treated to excellent views of a low-flying bird on 14th. An Osprey was at Pagham Hbr on 12th.
A Pied Flycatcher was seen briefly at Beachy Head on 14th and the wondrous sounds of a Golden Oriole were heard from woodland at Oreham Common on 16th.
