What is it with Stone-curlews and Monday mornings? It happened again this week, a bird being found in a field east of the Adur near Upper Beeding on 3rd; thankfully it was out in the open and admired by many throughout the day. Another Stone-curlew was seen and heard as it flew past Belle Tout Wood (Beachy Head) on 8th.
Two Spotted Redshanks were present all week at Pagham Hbr and a moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper was found there, at White’s Creek, on 9th (photo courtesy of Paul James attached). A Wood Sandpiper was on the meanders at Cuckmere Haven on 8th.
A male Montagu’s Harrier flying east was a great record at The Midrips on 8th. There was a report of a Black Kite at Small Dole on 9th and an Osprey was observed catching fish on 4th and 5th from the North Wall at Pagham Hbr. It was another fascinating week at the Honey-buzzard webcam where the youngsters (now looking big and sturdy) were seen flying away from the nest for short periods (https://sos.org.uk/about/our-work-with-people/surveys/honey-buzzards/).
A Roseate Tern and possibly two Black terns were reported offshore at Rye Hbr on 9th . Other Black Terns were noted earlier in the week with a juvenile inland at Weir Wood Res on 4th and another from the Gooders Hide at Rye Hbr the following day.
A 3cy Caspian Gull was at Pelham Beach (Hastings) on 4th and a juvenile Kittiwake was a good inland sighting at West Rise Marsh (Eastbourne) on 9th.
A Quail could be heard singing at Beachy Head on 8th. A Spoonbill was visible from the Discovery Centre at Rye Hbr on 7th and three birds flew over there the following day.
A Hooded Crow was at the Waste Recycling Site at Bulverhythe (Hastings) on 4th, presumably the same bird as the one in the town in early May?
