Kites and Spotted Flycatcher near the Burgh

Sunday 8 June.  South Downs monitoring and a bit of a wander around near the Burgh produced a few nice birds including 2 Grey and 3 Red-legged Partridges, 4 Red Kites, Marsh Harrier, Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher, Treecreeper, 4 Ravens, male Bullfinch, a single Yellowhammer and 4 Corn Buntings.  It is a sign of the times that the Spotted Flycatcher, in the copse near the Burgh, and not the kites was the most welcome sighting despite 3 kites being in the air together. A mid afternoon low tide visit to the Adur was unproductive.

Red Kite over the Downs near the Burgh

passing Arundel Castle

clearly showing five fingers.  Black Kite, not that this was ever a contender, has six

Buzzard at the Burgh, no chance of my mistaking this one for something rarer

very poor shot of a female Marsh Harrier at the Burgh.  Somewhat unexpected and not the harrier I was hoping for at his time of year

Reed Warbler where my 'South Downs' circuit meets the Arun valley

Saturday 7 June.  I visited Widewater, Shoreham Fort for an hours seawatch and the Adur (twice).  Expectations were low and in that respect I was not disappointed.  24 Common Scoter and a Common Tern flew east in an hour, 16 Gannets and 57 Sandwich Terns were noted offshore but probably included some duplication, a Peregrine was on Southwick Power Station chimney, 6 Stock Doves by the Adur and 15-20 Swifts at Widewater and later 15 over our road.

usually when seawatching from the end of Shoreham Harbour I'm wondering how much better it is at Beachy or Seaford. Not much on this occasion, although being able to see them, even if not very clearly, is never a good sign.

Monday 2-Friday 6 June.  A Peregrine was on Southwick Power Station chimney most days, 2 Ringed Plover appeared to be on territory on Southwick Beach on Monday but increased activity dumper trucks and diggers moving rocks there sadly looks to have moved them on.  Up to 15 Swifts were seen from/over our hours each evening (they breed in an adjacent block of flats half way up the road).  On Friday two colour-ringed Herring Gulls were on Brighton promenade, both in readable range with my 8x20s: North Thames A8DT and Sussex A7TR.