After a taste of summer during the last few days, this morning was dull and dreary. We sea-watched from 06.30-08.30 and then covered Birling lane, radio mast bushes, Hotel Garden, Icky Ridge, the Old Trapping Area, Shooters Bottom and Belle Tout wood.
Sea-watched was generally on the quiet side although a flock of 14 Red-breasted Mergansers was the largest flock we have seen for several years at Beachy. Again no real sign of any new arrivals in the area apart for an increase in Stonechat numbers from 3 to 6 and a Meadow Pipit displaying on Icky Ridge.
Red-throated Diver 21 E
Great-crested Grebe 1 on the sea
Gannet 26 chiefly E
Cormorant 17
Little Egret 1 on Birling beach
Brent Goose 8 E
Shelduck 1 E
Wigeon 7 E
Common Scoter 21 E
Red-breasted Merganser 14 E
Peregrine 1 Icky Ridge stack
Mediterranean Gull 1 E
Razorbill 2 on the sea
Meadow Pipit 1 displaying Icky Ridge
Stonechat 6
Blackbird 10 chiefly Shooters Bottom
Song Thrush 2
Goldfinch 16
Corn Bunting 1 Birling
