Weekly Report – 20-26 April

We might not have the best county in the world for seawatching but at least here in Sussex we’re  better placed than most to witness the annual spring spectacle of Pomarine Skua migration. To watch small flocks of them beating a slow and steady easterly path, low over the waves to breeding grounds on the Arctic tundra, is a marvellous sight and the highlight of the year for many birders. And there were a fair few sightings this week with birds off Selsey Bill, Rustington, West Worthing, Shoreham, Splash Point (Seaford), Beachy Head and St Leonards. The largest numbers were recorded at Selsey (eleven on 24^th) and Beachy Head (eight on 25^th), with six birds noted at Worthing and Seaford on 24^th.

There were two scarce shearwaters seen flying west at Selsey Bill – a Sooty Shearwater on 21^st and a Balearic Shearwater the following day. A Black-throated Diver was there on 20^th and another was at Beachy Head on 25^th.

A pair of Garganey was seen flying east off Splash Point on 23^rd, whilst birds on site were found at Pulborough Brooks (a female on 23^rd -25^th), Sidlesham Ferry (a drake on 25^th) and Rye Harbour (a pair on 25^th-26th).

There were lots of good waders this week, the pride of place being a rare Kentish Plover which appeared briefly on Flat Beach (Rye Hbr) on 20^th (photo taken by James Tomlinson attached). On the same day, and in almost the same place, was a Little Stint which showed itself again on 22^nd. A Temminck’s Stint was at Pett Level on 23^rd and the pair of Black-winged Stilts reported last week reappeared at Pulborough Brooks on 21^st.

Up to four Wood Sandpipers were at Pulborough Brooks and other birds were found at Arundel WWT on 23rd and Pagham Hbr on 26^th. Remarkably there were seven on the Pevensey Levels on 26^th.

The Glossy Ibis was noted again on the saltmarsh at Fishbourne Creek on 20^th-22nd and there were two Common Cranes at Pulborough Brooks on 20^th and 21^st.

Black Terns were seen migrating east at Selsey Bill on four dates with a maximum of 11 on 23^rd, and two were noted off Splash Point on 25^th.

There was just the one report of a Caspian Gull (a 2cy at Pagham Hbr on 23^rd). Little Gulls were relatively numerous with records at Selsey Bill (up to 14 on five dates) and Beachy Head (48 on 25^th).

An Osprey was fishing on site at Bewl Water on 25^th and one was over Beeding Brooks the following day.

Yellow Wagtails still appear terribly thin on the ground, although there were 12 on the Rother Levels on 26th (accompanied by a “Channel Wagtail”). A male Ring Ouzel was at Sidlesham Ferry on 22^nd and another was found at Amberley Mount on 26^th. A Serin was seen flying in off the sea at Beachy Head on 23^rd.