I was out in the field from dawn till mid-afternoon. Three
Bonxies flew east during an early seawatch and 70
Mediterranean Gulls flew mostly east, including a squadron of 34. The biggest surprise, though, was an adult
hrota-type
Brent Goose which flew west late on. Some light
Gannet movement was evident offshore in the morning, with 44 birds noted, as well as a
Red-breasted Merganser, 24
Common Scoters, a
Fulmar, seven
Sandwich Terns, two
Common Terns and three
Great Crested Grebes. Nine
Turnstones were on the beach, along with a
Sanderling, two
Ringed Plovers and a
Grey Plover. Four
Swallows flew through the Gap and other passerine migrants included eight
Wheatears, five
Meadow Pipits, a
Willow Warbler, two
Pied Wagtails, nine
Linnets and three
Blackcaps. The
Chiffchaffs noted were probably established birds, one observed gathering nesting material. Singles of
Peregrine and
Sparrowhawk were logged, along with a
Mallard and a
Moorhen.
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| adult hrota-type Pale-bellied Brent Goose past Goring Gap |
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| male Wheatear at Goring Gap |
A stroll along the Rife added two
Mallards, a
Pheasant, another
Sparrowhawk, three
Moorhens, three
Chiffchaffs, a
Pied/White Wagtail and two
Linnets. A couple more
Turnstones were on the beach there.
