Spring has really kicked in with many summer migrants already in – just a stroll around Shinewater here in Eastbourne this morning saw a singing Willow Warbler, a House Martin, a couple of Swallows and a few Sand Martins.The well-watched Black-necked Grebe at West Rise Marsh nearby was present until 4th, but apparently not seen today. Other Black-necked Grebes were seen on 31st with one drifting offshore at Widewater (Lancing) and four seen from Rock-a-Nore Beach (Hastings).
Beachy Head saw its first skuas of the year with two Arctic Skuas on 3rd and a Great Skua the following day.
A Black-throated Diver was on the sea off West Hill (Hastings) on 2nd. The Green-winged Teal at the Salt Pool (Rye Hbr) was noted again on 1st and six Velvet Scoters flew past Splash Point (Seaford) on 5th. A Long-tailed Duck went west off Selsey Bill on 3rd and another (or the same?) was on the sea there the following day.
A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen over the River Adur, near the Stretham Manor Bridge, on 1st and there were several reports of Osprey: one was at Bewl Water on 2nd and there were four sightings on 4th (at Littlehampton, Chidham, East Preston and Weir Wood Res). One flew over Littlehampton on 5th.
The pair of Glossy Ibis was still present in the Combe Valley CP on 4th and one dropped in to Owl Copse (Pagham Hbr) on 2nd. A Russian White-fronted Goose was at Down Level (Hailsham) on 2nd.
Up to three Little Gulls were at East Trout Lake (Chichester GP) during the week and a 2cy Caspian Gull was again at Pagham Hbr on 2nd.
There were first arrivals for Yellow Wagtail (Weir Wood Res on 4th) and Tree Pipit (Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest, on 31st).
It was a great week for Water Pipits: at least two remain at West Rise Marsh and the bird near Litlington in the Cuckmere Valley was present again on 30th (photo by Bob Eade attached). Remarkably there were large numbers found at Combe Valley CP with at least seven there on 3rd and 22 counted on 4th.
