Today's sea-watch reminded me of the many sea-watches we had back in the 1970's and 80's, although virtually all today's terns were a long way out, yet back in those early years the Sandwich Terns were usually very close in.
It was interesting to compare yesterday's sea-watch with todays, yesterday the main species were Kittiwakes, Brent Geese, Mediterranean Gulls, and these had a very poor showing today and not a single Mediterranean Gull was seen today.
Red-throated Diver 28 E (majority appeared to be in w/p)
Black-throated Diver 1 E in s/p
Great-crested Grebe 1 on the sea
Gannet 387 E
Brent Goose 17 E
Teal 12 E
Shoveler 1 E
Eider 5 on the sea (1 ad.drake, 1 sub-ad. drake and 3 females)
Common Scoter 727 E
Velvet Scoter 3E gave good views close in.
Red-breasted Merganser 5 E
Whimbrel 4 E
Curlew 7E
Arctic Skua 19 E (1 l/p, 1 intermediate, 17 d/p)
Bonxie 2 E
Common Gull 20 E
Kittiwake 50 E
Sandwich 158 E
Comic Tern 27 E
Swallow 1 in off the sea.
Some of today's Arctic Skuas
Party of 5 Eiders on the sea off Birling
This afternoon while driving through Cowfold, a Red Kite came flying over the road.
