20 March 2014 Beachy Head Fine sunny warm SSW 2 to 3-4

We sea-watched from 06.30-09.05 and after about 10 days with virtually no sea-movement, it was enjoyable to watch a small movement with our first Arctic Skua for the year, but still no terns. We also covered most of the usual sites and PN and MN were also covering the Birling/Belle Tout area. Small numbers of night migrants were seen with 7 Wheatears and 2 Firecrests.

Red-throated Diver 5 E
Great-crested Grebe 1 E
Gannet 82 E
Brent Goose 223 E
Shoveler 4 E
Eider 1 drake E
Common Scoter 79 E
Red-breasted Merganser 5 E
Peregrine 2 males fighting over Birling
Arctic Skua 1 d/p E
Mediterranean Gull 2 adults E
Black-headed Gull 38 E
Kittiwake 93 E
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Stonechat 6
Wheatear 7 all males
Chiffchaff 2
Firecrest 2 in B/T wood

Stoat 1

Demolishing the end coastguard cottage after the cliff falls.

Demolishing with a view.

Drake Eider moving E off Birling

 

 

Small movement of Brents with over 200 moved E.

Black-headed Gulls moving E.

 

Seven Wheatears seen today

 

Stoat hunting in the Birling Gully