Monday 12 March 2018

12th March, 2018 Beachy Head Sea fog and rain SE 3-4

Very poor conditions this morning with sea-fog and rain, although we were able to sea-watch with most of the birds seen at close range. We sea-watched from 06.50-08.50 and then tried to cover some of the area around Belle Tout wood and scrub, briefly meeting up with LP who had seen a Firecrest and Blackcap. There was also 3 Chiffchaffs in the car park scrub. Unfortunately, the rain became heavier so we called it a day. Needless to say, when we arrived home it was sunny.

Red-throated Diver 3 (1 E and 2 on the sea)
Great-crested Grebe 6 on the sea
Gannet 60 E (all adults)
Brent Goose 304 E (all were very close following the coast line in the foggy conditions)
Mallard 12 E (a tight flock moving fast someway out to sea)
Common Scoter 11 E
Black-headed Gull 30 off Birling
Common Gull 60 off Birling
Lesser Black Back Gull 1 of the English race garellsii off Birling.
Kittiwake 4 E
Sandwich Tern 2 E
Green Woodpecker 1
Rock Pipit 2 Birling
Stonechat 1
Blackcap 1 B/T (LP)
Chiffchaff 3 B/T area
Firecrest 1 B/T area (LP)