Mostly seawatching (14-23 April 2025)

Monday 14 April. Widewater 06:20-09:20, light/moderate SW, very clear, with RP: Brent Goose 13E, Common Scoter 105E, Oystercatcher 5E, Curlew 2W, Turnstone 6E, Mediterranean Gull 24E:6W (all adults), Sandwich Tern 25E:2W, Great Skua 1E (08:19), Arctic Skua 2E (dark morphs), unidentified diver 2E, Red-throated Diver 1E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 14E:5W, Peregrine 1E. Buckingham Park with Megan and Otis: single Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff heard and Goldcrest seen.

Tuesday 15 April. Widewater 06:10-07:45, very light/variable wind, moderate/poor visibility, with RP: Common Scoter 18E, Oystercatcher 6E, Mediterranean Gull heard, Sandwich Tern 31E, Gannet 15E. Lancing Hill TQ1806 South Downs Farmland Bird survey: Red-legged and 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Stock Doves, Buzzard, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker heard, Jay, 16 Skylarks, 9 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 9 Wrens, 13 Blackbirds, 6 Song Thrushes, a pair of Stonechats (Cowbottom), male Wheatear, 10 Dunnocks, 2 Greenfinches, 9 Linnets, 3 Goldfinches and a Corn Bunting. Southwick Beach: 2 male Wheatears.

Grey Partridges on a murky Lancing Hill

Stonechats at Cowbottom

Wheatear at Cowbottom

Red-legged Partridge at Cowbottom

Wednesday 16 April. Widewater 06:30-08:10, strong WSW, clear, with RP: Common Scoter 40E, Curlew 1W, Mediterranean Gull 2E (adults), Sandwich Tern 19E, unidentified diver 1E, Fulmar 2E, Gannet 5E. Shoreham: Stock Dove and Sparrowhawk.

view east from Widewater

Thursday 17 April. Widewater 06:15-08:15, light NE, clear: Brent Goose 1E, Shelduck 1W, Common Scoter 83E, Great Crested Grebe 1, Oystercatcher 3E, Mediterranean Gull 34E (all adults), Sandwich Tern 1E:11W, diver sp. 1E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 1W. Lancing Ring with Megan and Otis: Buzzard, Kestrel, 6 Skylarks, Chiffchaff and Blackcap heard,  3 Whitethroats, 2 Linnets and 4 Corn Buntings.

Friday 18 April. Seaford 06:40-10:10, light/moderate ESE, clear, with DB, RP and BC, JC, SL, NP etc.: Brent Goose 19E (one flock, including a Pale-bellied), Common Scoter 156E, Whimbrel 24E, Bar-tailed Godwit 4E, Kittiwake 20+, Mediterranean Gull 96E (included 5 first and a second summer), Sandwich Tern 171E, Little Tern 4E, Common/Arctic Tern 6E, Arctic Skua 6E (2 dark and 4 pale morphs), unidentified auk 4E, unidentified diver 1E, Red-throated Diver 8E, Black-throated Diver 1E, Fulmar 10+, Gannet 25+, Little Egret 1W, Rock Pipit 1, Linnet heard. A27 at Mile Oak: Buzzard being bombed by a Peregrine.

Mediterranean Gulls passing Seaford

some very close

Brent Geese passing Seaford

the flock included a Pale-bellied Brent Goose

Rock Pipit at Seaford

Saturday 19 April. Widewater 06:00-09:20, moderate/strong E, clear, with RP and ARK: Shelduck 4W, Teal 10E, Common Scoter 8E, Great Crested Grebe 1E, Oystercatcher 5E, Whimbrel 76E, Curlew 1E, Bar-tailed Godwit 106E, Kittiwake 1E, Common Gull 35E, Sandwich Tern 22E, Arctic Tern 8E, Arctic Skua 4E (all dark), Fulmar 1E, Gannet 120E, Swallow 1N. Shoreham Fort with Megan and Otis: Bar-tailed Godwit 20E, Common/Arctic Tern 3E, Gannet 2E, Raven on nest, Linnet 2.

Whimbrel passing Widewater

Sunday 20 April. Widewater 06:05-09:05, moderate ENE, variable visibility: Common Scoter 2E, Great Crested Grebe 3E, Oystercatcher 1E:1W, Whimbrel 19E, Bar-tailed Godwit 29E, Turnstone 5E:2W, Mediterranean Gull heard twice, Sandwich Tern 109E, Arctic Skua 4E (pale 06:32, dark 06:50 & 08:12, pale 08:30), Fulmar 2E, Gannet 68E, Swallow 1N.

Monday 21 April. Adur & Town Quay with Megan and Otis: 5 Whimbrel, Greenshank, 19 Common Gull, 3 Little Egrets, Skylark, Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff heard and a Meadow Pipit.

Whimbrels opposite Town Quay

Greenshank opposite Town Quay

Tuesday 22 April. Widewater 06:00-08:00, v light NW, clear, with RP: Brent Goose 1E, Common Scoter 37E, Ringed Plover 1E, Whimbrel 2E:2W, Mediterranean Gull 10E (all adults), Sandwich Tern 21E, Arctic Skua 4E (pale at 06:46), Red-throated Diver 1E, Fulmar 2E:1W, Swallow 1N. West Mill/Downslink with Otis: a Black Swan with 14 Mutes, 2 Coot, 16 Lapwing, 5 Little Egrets, Buzzard, Skylark, 2 Cetti's Warblers (heard), 2 Chiffchaffs, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, 3 Nightingales (heard) and 2 Linnets.

Wednesday 23 April. Widewater 06:15-08:45, moderate/strong NE, early rain, moderate visibility: Shelduck 5E, Common Scoter 165E:13W, Oystercatcher and Whimbrel heard, Turnstone 1, Mediterranean Gull 1E (second summer), Sandwich Tern 96E:7W, Guillemot 1E, Fulmar 3W, Gannet 28E, Swallow 2N. Brooklands with Megan and Otis: a different Black Swan and a pair of Mutes, Common Sandpiper, 2 Kestrels, 4 Swallows (flew N), 2 Cetti's Warblers (heard), 2 Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler (and 2 heard), male Blackcap and a Whitethroat.

looking south from the favoured beach hut

rough weather over Brighton

Seawatching, Brecks and Pied Flycatchers (08-13 April)

Tuesday 08 April. Widewater 06:10-09:10, light/mod NE, clear, with RP: Brent Goose 140E, Common Scoter 32E, Great Crested Grebe 1 offshore, Oystercatcher 5E, Avocet 1E (06:31), Little Ringed Plover 1N, Whimbrel 2E, Curlew heard, Black-headed Gull 58E, Mediterranean Gull 70E, Sandwich Tern 16E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 5E., Linnet 3N. Mill Hill with Megan and Otis: Green Woodpecker heard, male Kestrel, 2 Long-tailed Tits, several Chiffchaffs and 2 Whitethroats. M25/M20: Ring-necked Parakeet. Cavenham Heath with DB: Egyptian Goose, 2 Shelduck, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Stone Curlew, 4 Lapwings, Raven, singing Woodlark and male Stonechat.

Mediterranean Gulls east off Widewater

Stone Curlew at Cavenham Heath

USAF Boeing Stratotanker low over Cavenham Heath (it can carry 114,000 litres of fuel, enough to keep my car going for over a million miles!)

Wednesday 09 April. Lakenheath from dawn with DB: 30 Greylag Geese, 30 Shoveler, 25 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 3 Pochard, 7 Tufted Duck, Water Rail (heard), Common Crane, 9 Avocets, 4 Lapwing, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Snipe, 4+ Bitterns heard booming, 5 Cattle, 2 Great and a Little Egret, 7 Marsh Harriers including a superb adult male, 2 Barn Owls, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, several Cetti's Warblers heard, Chiffchaff, several Sedge and Reed Warblers (mostly heard), 73 Fieldfares (my first this year!!), Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinches and 3 Reed Buntings. Santon Downham with DB: Egyptian Goose, 3 Stock Doves, 2 Lapwing, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, male Stonechat, 2 Chaffinches, 2 Linnets and heard Brambling, Redpoll and Siskin. DB also had 3 flyover Crossbills. Nunnery Lakes with DB: An Egyptian and 15 Canada Geese including one with red AHT neck ring, 6 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Oystercatchers, Curlew heard calling on nearby heath, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay and Swallow. High Lodge Compartment with DB: Woodcock.

Barn Owl at Lakenheath

Crane at Lakenheath

Mandarin at Santon Downham

Thursday 10 April. Cavenham Heath with DB: 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Stock Doves, 7 Stone Curlew (included yesterday's 3), 5 Lapwings, Curlew, 2 Great Egrets, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, 2 Woodlark and male Stonechat, 2 Meadow Pipits, female Brambling, Greenfinch, 20 Goldfinches and 3 Reed Buntings. Lackford Lakes with DB: 12 Egyptian Geese, 4 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 55 Teal, 3 Pochard, 17 Tufted Duck, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Great Egret, male Goshawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, Red Kite, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine, Cetti's Warbler heard, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Grey Wagtail, Santon Downham with DB: 3 Mandarin, Buzzard, Coal Tit heard, Marsh Tit, 3 Brambling, 3 Siskin and a Yellowhammer. High Lodge Compartment with DB: 2 Woodlark, Stonechat and Tree Pipit. DB saw briefly and heard Woodcock.

Stone Curlew at Cavenham Heath

Tree Pipit in Thetford Forest

Friday 11 April. Mill Hill with Otis. Stock Dove, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker heard, male Kestrel, Skylark and Cetti's Warbler heard, 6 Chiffchaffs, male Blackcap, 2 Whitethroats, Greenfinch heard, 2 Linnets and 2 Goldfinches.

Grizzled Skipper on Mill Hill

Saturday 12 April. Widewater. 06:25-09:20, light/mod NE/ENE, hazy, with RP: Brent Goose 393E, Shoveler 1E (male), Common Scoter 24E, Oystercatcher 1E, Whimbrel 4E, Turnstone 3W, Black-headed Gull 25E, Mediterranean Gull 13E (adults), Sandwich Tern 47E:2W, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 1E, Little Egret 1E, Linnet 4E. Mill Hill with Megan and Otis: Buzzard, Green Woodpecker and Skylark heard, 2 Chiffchaffs , male Blackcap, Whitethroat heard and 2 Linnets. Lancing Ring: Green Woodpecker heard, Jay, 7 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and male and female Pied Flycatcher (found by James Grundy).

female Pied Flycatcher at Lancing Ring

male Pied Flycatcher at Lancing Ring (found by James Grundy)

Sunday 13 April. Widewater. 06:25-09:20, moderate W/SW, clear, with RP: Brent Goose 1E:2W, Shelduck 2W, Velvet Scoter 1E (male at 08:10), Common Scoter 34E, Great Crested Grebe 1 on sea, Oystercatcher 2E, Whimbrel heard, Turnstone 2E, Mediterranean Gull 2E:4W (adults):others heard twice, Sandwich Tern 20E, Red-throated Diver 4E, Black-throated Diver 1E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 4E:3W and Little Egret 1E. During the seawatch harsh parakeet calls were briefly heard overhead. Maybe half and hour later they were heard again and the 'Middle road' female Lord Derby's and male Ring-necked Parakeets flew over quite high to the east. Adur with Megan and Otis: 46 Turnstones, Greenshank and Skylark heard.

Greenshank on the Adur

Seawatching, Woodchat and Least Sandpiper (01-07 April)

Tuesday 01 April. Widewater 06:45-09:15. Moderate NE, clear: Brent Goose 28E, Canada Goose 1W & 1 on lagoon, Mute Swan 26, Shelduck 1E, Teal 6, Common Scoter 7E:3W, Great Crested Grebe 5 offshore, Oystercatcher 2E:3W, Black-headed Gull 15E, Sandwich Tern 13E, Red-throated Diver 1E, Fulmar 1E, Gannet 21E. 

Wednesday 02 April. Widewater 06:50-09:20. Moderate/strong NE, clear: Shoveller 66E, Common Scoter 64E, Coot 2, Great Crested Grebe 3 offshore, Black-headed Gull 6E, Common Gull 15E, Sandwich Tern 18E, auk sp. 2W, Fulmar 2E, Gannet 21E, Little Grebe 1. Mill Hill with Megan and Otis: 2 Stock Doves, Red Kite, Skylark (heard), 2 Long-tailed Tits, Chiffchaff and 3 Goldfinches.

Thursday 03 April. Widewater 06:30-11:20. Moderate E, clear: Canada Goose 10E & 1 on lagoon, Mute Swan 32, Shoveller 31E, Teal 4E & 4 on lagoon, Common Scoter 153E, Great Crested Grebe 2 offshore, Oystercatcher 2E, Grey Plover 2E, Black-headed Gull 16E, Mediterranean Gull 2E (adults), Common Gull 28E, Sandwich Tern 5E, Common/Arctic Tern 2E, auk sp. 2E:3W, Red-throated Diver 1E, Fulmar 2E, Gannet 10E, alba Wagtail 1E. 

Friday 04 April. Widewater 06:15-08:10. Moderate NE, hazy: Egyptian Goose 2NW, Shoveller 2E, Common Scoter 5 on sea, Woodpigeon 12E, Great Crested Grebe 2 offshore, Avocet 1E (06:30), Oystercatcher 2E, Black-headed Gull 13E, Mediterranean Gull 7E (adults), Sandwich Tern 33E, Common/Arctic Tern 6E, Gannet 11E, Little Egret 1E, Kestrel 1E. Middle Road: Lord Derby's and Red-necked Parakeets. Crown Road: Swallow 1N (poor view). Happy Valley/Thundersbarrow/Mile Oak/Southwick Hill: Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 4 Skylarks, 3 Chiffchaffs, male Blackcap, 3 Greenfinches, 45 Linnets and 4 Corn Buntings.

dawn at Shoreham Beach 

Great Crested Grebe off Widewater

female Lord Deryb's and male Ring-necked Parakeets

Saturday 05 April. Widewater 06:20-07:45. Strong NE, clear, with RP: Moderate/strong NE, clear, with RP: Shelduck 3E, Common Scoter 8E, Great Crested Grebe 1 offshore, Avocet 1E (06:42), Oystercatcher 2E, Black-headed Gull 13E, Mediterranean Gull 2E (adults), Common Gull 40E, Sandwich Tern 14E, Red-throated Diver 1E, Gannet 7E:2W. Newhaven West Beach with RP: Fulmar, Raven (& another Tarring Neville), female Woodchat Shrike and 4 Goldfinches. Mill Hill: 2 Stock Doves, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and 2 Goldfinches.

sunrise from Shoreham Beach

Woodchat Shrike at Newhaven West Beach

Sunday 06 April. Widewater 06:20-09:30, moderate/strong NE, with RP. Brent Goose 29E, 28 Mute and a Black Swan on the lagoon, Shelduck 4E, Shoveler 2E, Teal 2E + 2 on lagoon, Eider 1E (male), Common Scoter 18E, Black-headed Gull 34E, Mediterranean Gull 14E (adults), Common Gull 2E, Sandwich Tern 26E, Guillemot 1 on sea, diver sp. 1E, Gannet 32E, Fulmar 1E, Swallow 1E, Chiffchaff 2. Medmerry (Earnley/Stilt Pool/Beach to Breech. 14 Brent Geese, female Wigeon, 4 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 8 Avocets, 4 Ringed and 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew, 14 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, Least Sandpiper (on Stilt Pool), 19 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Buzzards, Swallow, Willow Warbler (heard), male Redstart, 2 Yellow and a White Wagtail and 3 Reed Buntings. 

Least Sandpiper on the Stilt Pool at Medmerry

nice to see it well after a dodgy flight view during a couple of hours search along the beach

... and shake your right foot ...

one of 19 Mediterranean Gulls heard and seen flying high over Earlney

Monday 07 April. Widewater 06:10-09:20, moderate/strong NNE, with RP. Brent Goose 39E, 2 Mute and a Black Swan on the sea and later flying E, Canada Goose 5W (landed on lagoon), Greylag Goose 7E, Common Scoter 6E, Great Crested Grebe 1E, Black-headed Gull 57E, Mediterranean Gull 82E (80 adults), Common Gull 6E, Sandwich Tern 51E, Gannet 10E, Grey Heron 2E, Little Egret 5E, Chiffchaff 4, Linnet 3. 

swans off Widewater