Glynde, West Rise, Beeding & Burton (25 February 2012)

Saturday 25 February.  A second attempt for the Glynde Great Grey Shrike was almost immediately successful despite light drizzle.  It was along the east then north edges of its favourite field just north of the river.  Next stop West Rise Marsh, Eastbourne where the Black-necked Grebe remained distant and so totally eclipsed by a pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying.  A Cetti's Warbler gave excellent views too but there was no sign of the Goosanders that had been present to Thursday.  At least 5 Cetti's were heard in a walk around Shinewater, a new site for me, but little was seen there other than Gadwall and Shoveler.   Heading back into West Sussex there was no sign of the Bean Geese on Henfield Levels.  Scaning Beeding Brooks from Hillside produced no geese but a look down Smugglers Lane in Beeding was successful with the 4 Bean Geese and 40 Grey Lags.  A Short-eared Owl and another Cetti's was seen on Beeding Levels, 3 Short-eared Owls from Greatham Railway Bridge, 2 Egyptian Geese at Sopham Bridge and finally, at 17:45, a Bittern climbed the reeds and flew a short way in the NE corner of Burton Mill Pond, remaining on view until te light faded at 18:00.  Also seen at Burton was a Kingfisher and 65 Pied Wagtails roosting in the reedbed.

Wet Great Grey Shrike at Glynde.  The apparent white forehead, large wing panel (were it not due to the way the wing is held) and whitish upper tail coverts are features associated with the SE Russian race homeyeri although integrades are not uncommon and the dampness of the bird make its features uncertain.

Black-necked Grebe at West Rise Marsh

displaying Great Crested Grebes at West Rise Marsh

Bean Geese from Smugglers Lane, Beeding

Short-eared Owl on Beeding Brooks

Short-eared Owl at Greatham

Sunday 26 February.  Seawatched from 07.05-08.05 from the end of the West Arm of Shoreham Harbour but little was moving with highlights(?) being Gannet 8E, Tufted Duck 2W, Common Scoter 2E, Black-headed Gull 175E, Razorbill 27 on sea & 1E, auk sp. 23 on sea & 60E and Stock Dove 2W.  At least 7 Purple Sandpipers were feeding at low tide on the rocks halfway down the East Arm (visible, just, from the end of the East Arm) and both Peregrines were on Southwick Power Station chimney.  Lots of gulls all along the beach to Widewatr but nothing stood out amongst yhem and no colour rings were seen.  No sign of the Snow Buntings in a brief look at Widewater but the two juvenile Mute Swans haven't been chased off by their parents yet and the Pintail was still present.

Turnstone on Shoreham Harbour West Arm