Sussex Waxwings and Bittern (13-20 January)

Saturday 13 January. I visited Uckfield to look for the Waxwings that had been present for a week or so seeing 19 around the New Road/Eastbourne Road junction and the estate immediately to the east. I continued to the Cuckmere, approaching from South Hill Barn and Harry's Bush. A disappointing visit, missing the dowitcher by less than five minutes. It had appeared in a channel parallel and right by the riverbank but flew west and dropped out of view. I spent a couple of hours trying to spot it without success. A Great Egret was little compensation. neither were 2 argentatus Herring Gulls in the 700 strong, mainly Great Black-backed Gull, roost.

Waxwings in Uckfield

my first in Sussex since 2017

Sunday 14 January. Mill Hill with Megan and Cookie: Raven 3, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 16. Middle Road/Sullington Way before dusk: Sparrowhawk 1, Lord Derby's Parakeet 1 female, Ring-necked Parakeet 1 male.

Monday 15 January. Adur with Megan and Cookie: Lapwing 70, Dunlin 11, Meadow Pipit 2, Reed Bunting 2. West Mill/Downslink: White-fronted Goose 12, Shoveler 55, Pintail 60, Teal 400, Common Snipe 9, Green Sandpiper 1, Buzzard 1, Fieldfare 10, Redwing 1, Woods Mill: Coal Tit 1, Nuthatch 1.

White-fronted Geese from the Downslink

Tuesday 16 January. Widewater with Cookie: Mute Swan 24, Great Crested Grebe 1, auk sp. 200+, Razorbill 1 W, Red-throated Diver 6 W, Gannet 2 W.

Wednesday 17 January. Lancing Ring with Megan and Cookie: Kestrel 1, Jay 1, Skylark 8, Redwing 5, Fieldfare 1, Stonechat 2 (m&f), Chaffinch 1, Linnet 40, Goldfinch 30, Corn Bunting 4, Yellowhammer 1 male, Reed Bunting 6.

Thursday 18 January. Black Rabbit 06:45-08:30: Bewick's Swan 8 N (at 07:35), Cattle Egret 8 N, Red Kite 2, Marsh Harrier 6 N, Tawny Owl heard, Barn Owl 1. Mill Stream/Swanbourne Lake 08:35-10:00: Mandarin 2 males, Shoveler 40, Gadwall 80, Pochard 2, Tufted Duck 50, Little Grebe 2. Arundel WWT 10:05-13:00: Water Rail 1 + 1 heard, Common Snipe 2, Bittern 1, Cattle Egret 2, Buzzard 3, Kingfisher 1, Coal Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit 9, Grey Wagtail heard, Chaffinch 3. Middle Road/Sullington Way at dusk: Lord Derby's Parakeet 1 female.

Bittern from the Scrape Hide at Srundel WWT

my first in Sussex since 2014

Water Rail at Arundel WWT

Long-tailed Tits at Arundel WWT

Harlequin, one of the smartest birds in the collection

Scaly-sided Merganser, the annual fix of one of my most wanted

Spectacled Eider, another dream bird

Friday 19 January. Widewater seawatch 09:35-11:05 with Cookie: auk sp. 20E:90W, Razorbill 17 o/sea, diver sp. 3E:4W, Red-throated Diver 1E:3W:1o/sea, Gannet 2E, Cormorant 16E:1W, Stonechat 1 male. Brooklands: Teal 2, Cetti's Warbler heard.

Saturday 20 January. Mill Hill with Megan and Cookie: Lapwing 9, Buzzard, Kestrel 2, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 4, Meadow Pipit heard.