Another rather quiet week although it was a good for Black-necked Grebe (in East Sussex at least) with two birds in summer plumage present on 27th: a sometimes confiding bird was at West Rise Marsh (Eastbourne) and another was not very far away at Arlington Res. The former (photo attached) was still present on 29th. Slavonian Grebes were on the sea again at Church Norton with a maximum of five on 23rd.
A distant Black-throated Diver went east off Selsey Bill on 24th and a drake Long-tailed Duck was on the sea there on 28th.
The geese have almost gone alas – just one report of two lingering Russian White-fronted Geese at Pulborough Brooks on 23th.
Ringtail Hen Harriers were seen at Amberley Wild Brooks and near Thundersbarrow Hill on 23rd; there were two sightings of another north of Burpham on 26th. An Osprey flew north over Hastings on 27th and another was migrating over Widewater (Lancing) on 29th.
The pair of Glossy Ibis at Combe Valley CP was still present until 28th and one bird was noted at Arundel WWT on 23rd.
A 2cy Caspian Gull was on the east side of Pagham Hbr on 25th . Two Little Gulls (an adult and a 2cy) graced Chichester GP on 27th and again on 29th when the first Common Tern of the year was also present.
The first House Martin of the year was briefly over the Oval Field at Selsey on 23rd and there were other first arrivals for Common Redstart (a male at Climping on 29th) and Sedge Warbler (a singing male at Combe Valley CP on 28th). A singing Willow Warbler was near Yapton on 24th.
Water Pipits (at least two) were still at West Rise Marsh throughout the week and a nice-looking bird, almost in summer plumage, was seen in the Cuckmere Valley near Litlington on 25th and 28th (where six Rock Pipits were also present).
