27th March Beachy Head Sunny with sea-mist cool becoming warm NE 4

We sea-watched from 07.00-09.00. with poor visibility due to sea-mist. With a cold NE wind, we were not expecting any movement but was somewhat surprised that small numbers were moving with the highlight being our first Bonxie for the year. We were joined by RE for some of the watch who then went and covered the Birling-Belle Tout area. We covered Belle Tout wood, Shooters Bottom, Old Trapping Area, Hotel Garden, Icky Ridge, and the Cliff Path. LP also visited Shooters Bottom. Very few migrants seen which included 2 Firecrests.

Red-throated Diver 3 (2 E and 1 on the sea)
Gannet 14 E
Brent Goose 349 E
Shelduck 6 E
Pintail 2 E
Common Scoter 20 E
Red-breasted Merganser 2 E
Peregrine 2
Curlew 1 E
Great Skua 1 E
Mediterranean Gull 1x1stW on beach at dawn departed W
Black-headed Gull 44 E
Sandwich Tern 2
Auk Sp. 2 E
Tawny Owl 1 heard calling
Meadow Pipit 30 (15 in off the sea)
Alba Wagtail 1 in off the sea
Stonechat 7
Blackcap 1
Chiffchaff 2
Firecrest 2
Carrion Crow 1 in off the sea
Linnet 50

1stW Mediterranean Gull on the beach at dawn but then departed W.

The first Firecrest in the Old Trapping Area

 

The second Firecrest in the Hotel Garden