We visited Widewater but other than the usual waterfowl just a pair of Red-breasted Merganser. Little evidence of any movement out to sea.
Pair of Red-breasted Mergansers
Mute Swan
13th January, 2017 Beachy Head
A short sea-watch was a waste of time. Covered Birling lane and the Cornish Farm field. With the cold frosty morning and a small amount of overnight snow we were hoping for some hard weather movement but unfortunately no sign of this. The field was again productive with 200 Skylarks, 50+ Corn Buntings, 50 Goldfinches and 30 Linnets. It then started to rain so we called it a day.
16th January, 2017 Newhaven
With news that the male Serin had again been seen just south of the railway crossing and with the weather improving, we decided to visit this afternoon. It was showing on and off, and was often singing. Rather distant views at first from the footpath usually in one of the back bushes and often taking flight circling right over our heads and making a double call-note. After an hour or so it landed on a near-by wall for around 5 minutes allowing better photographs.
We then visited the harbour car park but the tide was still well in although 2 Purple Sandpipers could be seen on the east pier with several Turnstones.
Male Serin at Newhaven.
