Wednesday 25 January 2017

25th January, 2017 Beachy Head, West Rise and Lower Cuckmere Dull misty cold ESE 1

A dull misty morning. We sea-watched from 07.45-09.15. Another small movement of Red-throated Divers and Razorbills.

Red-throated Diver 48 (42 E, 2 W and 4 on sea)
Great-crested Grebe 2 on sea
Gannet 50 E
Wigeon 2 E
Mallard 3 E
Razorbill 93 E
Auk Sp. 38 E

With the mist now covering the Headland, we decided to visit West Rise. With much of the main lake still frozen over, the ducks and gulls were mainly out on the northern end of the lake. The gulls were all standing on the frozen ice, chiefly Herring and G.B.B. Gulls with one Scandinavian L.B.B. Gull.
The Long-tailed Duck was still present albeit at a distance and was now looking a lot smarter than when we saw it last year, but otherwise just Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler were seen. I walked down to the southern end but no sign of any Bearded Tits or Water Pipits. A Kingfisher flew past me but otherwise little of interest was seen.

A distant Long-tailed Duck on West Rise

We now received a text from Matt informing us that he had seen 2 juv. Glaucous Gulls in the gull roost in the Lower Cuckmere. We therefore made our way to the Cuckmere and walked down the western side. Located the roosting gulls some distant out, but could only locate one of the juv. Glaucous Gulls. Also 1 English L.B.B.Gull in the roost.
Many thanks for the text Matt.

 




A distant Juvenile Glaucous Gull in the Cuckmere