27th January, 2018 Beachy Head and Newhaven harbour Early frost, becoming sunny and clear SW 4-5

We sea-watched from 07.50-09.20 and then I walked the set-a-side field which unfortunately appears to be converting to grass. Highlight was a fine adult Iceland Gull which flew E out to sea.

Red-throated Diver 11 (5 E & 6 on the sea)
Fulmar 3
Gannet 11
Brent Goose 13 E
Eider  2 E @ 09.15  (immature drake and female)
Common Scoter 5 E
Red-breasted Merganser 1 W
Curlew 1 E
Kittiwake 3 E
Common Gull 45 all adults sat on the sea off Birling
Iceland Gull 1 ad E 08.20 to 08.24.
Auk Sp. 52 E
Skylark 50 in set-a-side field
Goldfinch 25 in set-a-side field
Linnet 25 in set-a-side field
Corn Bunting 8 in set-a-side field

Our 13th record of Iceland Gull since 1960, with the last being in March, 2012 which was also an adult and was seen later the same day at Dungeness.

We stopped off at Newhaven Harbour with the tide going out. Fair numbers of Gulls feeding on the beach chiefly Herring and Common but no sign of any unusual gulls and again no sign of the Great-northern Diver.

Looking west from the set-a-side field to the

sea-watch site at Birling Gap.