11th March, 2017 Beachy Head Dull and misty at first with thick sea- fog from 08.30 SE 1

We sea-watched from 06.25-8.30 when thick sea-fog rolled in. We were joined by Chris Bird for some of the time and he then covered Birling lane where he saw the Black Redstart and a Firecrest.  We covered Birling loop, Belle Tout wood and the Old Trapping Area although the thick fog made watching difficult.
At dawn large numbers of gulls were seen around Birling Gap flying over the car park or feeding in the fields close by. Probably in the region of 800+ birds and the majority were adults.

Red-throated Diver 2 E
Great Crested Grebe 3 on the sea
Gannet 2 E
Brent Goose 300 E
Egyptian Goose 2 E @ 06.37 (Our third record since 1960, with the first on the 30 April, 2006, which generally reflects the increase in numbers now being recorded in Sussex).
Teal 1 E
Pintail 4 E
Common Scoter 36 E
Curlew 9 W
Mediterranean Gull 2 E

Black-headed Gull 250 (200 at dawn over Birling and 50 later on the sea)

Common Gull 200 at Birling

Meadow Pipit 30 (Party of 20 came in off the sea in foggy weather)

Rock Pipit 2 in the Birling area

Black Redstart 1 female type at Birling Per (CB)

Stonechat 5

Chiiffchaff 1 singing

Firecrest 1 at Birling (per CB)

Brent Geese moving past Birling with 300 in 2 hours.