A popular bird was the fearless Red-necked Phalarope at West Rise Marsh (Eastbourne) which remained throughout the week and gave great views for many admirers. Up to three Little Stints moved around Pagham Hbr and were equally obliging at times, two of them quite faithful to the pool at Sidlesham Ferry and feeding close to the roadside (photo taken on 11th by Peter Alfrey attached).
A Wood Sandpiper was at Pulborough Brooks on 7th and there were two juvenile Curlew Sandpipers on the Adur estuary at Shoreham on 8th. Up to five Spotted Redshanks were still at Pagham Hbr and a Purple Sandpiper was at the Brighton Marina on 10th. The rarest wader was an American Golden Plover which was discovered on 13th in a stubble field near the sandpit at Jury’s Gap on 13th . The bird was found in exactly the same field as last year’s American Golden Plover, so is surely the same bird returning?
A Black-necked Grebe was at Scotney Gravel Pits on 9th.
Black Tern was recorded on 10th and 13th at Medmerry and Little Gull flew past Selsey Bill nearby on 9th and 13th.
A Bee-eater was an exciting find at Pett Level on 10th, seen initially flying overhead and found again later perched on overhead power lines.
Fewer migrating Honey-buzzards were spotted this week – singles were over Weir Wood Res on 8th and Beachy Head on 9th and 10th. A Montagu’s Harrier was over Foxhole Farm at Cuckmere Haven on 10th and a distant juvenile harrier (either Pallid or Montagu’s) was at Beachy Head on 11th. There were several sightings of Osprey again with birds over Selsey (7th), Medmerry (8th) and Pagham Hbr (9th and 12th) . On 13th singles were at Warnham LNR, Newhaven Hbr, Church Norton and Shoreham.
A Wryneck was at Steyning on 9th and 10th and another was at The Severals (Church Norton) on 12th.
Pied Flycatchers are now few and far between – one was at Wild Park LNR on 7th and one at nearby Patcham on 10th.
