25 May 2014 Beachy Head Sunny but cold, S 4

Joined RDME for a sea-watch from 06.00-11.20. NT joined us for some of the time. Bob covered Birling lane, and we covered the Old Trapping Area. PN and MN were also birding on the Headland.
For the time of the year, a reasonable sea-passage but lacking any quality with the highlight being 2 Manx Shearwaters.

Manx Shearwater 2 E
Gannet 156 E
Little Egret 4 E
Shelduck 5 E
Common Scoter 222 E
Sanderling 9 E
Arctic Skua 8 E
Bonxie 3 E
Mediterranean Gull 2 adults E
Black-headed Gull 14 E
Kittiwake c250 E
Sandwich Tern 108 E
Commic Tern 25 E
Auk Sp. 20 E
Guillemot 1 E
Raven 8

Comm Blue 6
Wall Butterfly 1
Common Blue Damselfly 1 in the Old Trapping Area


Late News for the 23 May 2014.

NT and RHC did a sea-watch from about 7.10-09.15 in a strong SE wind and recorded the following:
Manx Shearwater 10 E
Gannet 110 E
Great-crested Grebe 1
Common Scoter 46 E
Arctic Skua 4 E
Sandwich Tern 22 E
Commic Tern 8 E
Auk Sp. 4 E

Also 1 ad.male Black Redstart in Hodcombe on the 24 May.

Pictures of some of the 5 Bee-eaters seen on the 20 May at

Belle Tout. All pictures taken by Nigel Taylor

 Common Blue Damselfly in the Old Trapping Area