Sussex (18-24 June)

Wednesday 18 June. Ashdown Forest with RP. Lama Farm 08:40-11:00: male Honey-Buzzard displaying, Goshawk with prey, Red Kite, 2 Buzzards, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Hobbies, 8 Swallows, Blackcap and Chiffchaff heard. Old Airfield: Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff heard, male Dartford Warbler and male and juvenile Stonechat. Old Lodge: Buzzard, 5 Coal Tits, 3 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff heard, 4 Redstarts, 2 Chaffinches, male Bullfinch and Siskin.

Honey Buzzard over Ashdown Lama Farm (photo: Richard Phillips)

juvenile Redstart at Old Lodge

Thursday 19 June. Shoreham Harbour: male Eider in partial eclipse. Crown Road: 2 Swifts over our garden at dusk.

Friday 20 June. West Mill and Downslink with Otis: Red Kite, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, 2 Skylarks, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Reed Warblers, Blackcap, 5 Whitethroats, Nuthatch heard, Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinches and 2 male Yellowhammers.

Roe Deer from the Downslink

Yellowhammer singing by West Mill Stream

another Yellowhammer

Saturday 21 June. Lancing Ring and Steepdown with Megan and Otis: 6 Skylarks, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Whitethroats, 2 Goldfinches and 13 Corn Buntings.

Corn Bunting at Steepdown

another Corn Bunting

Sunday 22 June. Brooklands with Megan and Otis: Black Swan, Swift, 45 Coot, 5 Little Grebes, Redshank, adult Mediterranean Gull, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler and Whitethroat.

Mediterranean Gull at Brooklands

Monday 23 June. Adur/Saltings with Megan and Otis:2 Oystercatchers (their 3 chicks hidden in the saltmarsh), 3 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, Skylark, Cetti's Warbler heard, Whitethroat and 3 Goldfinches. Crown Road: 2 Swifts over our garden at dusk.

Tuesday 24 June. Shoreham Harbour (East Arm and Kingston Beach) with Otis: male Eider. Crown Road: Swift over our garden.

Shoreham Harbour Eider now heavily into  eclipse plumage