22 April 2014 Beachy Head Early morning rain clearing to a fine day but cool SW 3-4

Met up with RDME for a sea-watch from 06.30-10.40 with RHC, RKH, RES and KH joining us. Difficult conditions at first until the weather cleared and there was a steady movement. We also covered Belle Tout wood, Shooters Bottom and the Old Trapping area, a small arrival of night migrants with 2 fine male Redstarts being the highlight.

Diver Sp. 6 E
Gannet 71 E
Brent Goose 68 E
Shelduck 6 W and 2 E
Gadwall 2 E
Teal 1 E
Shoveler 4 E
Eider 2 on the sea off Birling
Common Scoter 523 E
Red-breasted Merganser 2 E
Whimbrel 8 E
Arctic Skua 5 E
Bonxie 8 E
Sandwich Tern 43 E
Commic Tern 19 E
Auk Sp 12 E
Swallow 7 (4 in off the sea)
Common Redstart 2 males
Common Whitethroat 6
Blackcap 4
Chiffchaff 5
Willow Warbler 12

Green-veined White 1

 

 

 Two Eiders off Birling during the early morning.

Two adult Gannets.