12th June, 2011 Beachy Head Overcast, cool W1-2 to S 3-4

Sea-watched from 06.45-07.40 & 10.10-10.30. We also walked the lane at Birling and the cliff path and looked over the Hollow. The following were seen:

Gannet 28 E

Common Scoter 39 (36 E & 3 on the sea).

Sparrow Hawk 1

Peregrine 1

Arctic Skua 1 d/p offshore chasing Kittiwakes at Birling.

Med. Gull 2 E (both 2nd Summer birds).

Sandwich Tern 6 E

Commic Tern 25 E (all appeared to be Arctics).

Lesser Whitethroat A new arrival seen at the top of the lane at Birling was in full song and often singing from the tops of the bushes, which the local breeding birds very rarely do. It lacked the usual dark ear-coverts (see pictures below), had a brownish back and the iris appeared pale grey.

Fox 1

Hare 1

Lesser Whitethroat at Birling

Hare one minute, gone the next!!