A weeks work up in Scotland and a relatively quiet start to April have meant this blog has laid dormant recently. A few things to note however in the past 3 days with the highlight a Cattle Egret that flew in over the harbour this morning just after sunrise (06.15)
A long overdue patch tick for me and a scarce bird locally. Despite the rain at 4am there was very little in the bushes to add to this beyond an increase in Whitethroats (10+ today across the headland) a single Willow Warbler on the farm (3 on the 11th were the first of the year for me) and 2 Lesser Whitethroats singing in the valley.
I got a fright when a White–tailed Eagle appeared at tree height just north of Top wood, moving East towards the village and continuing to Bockhill. A black ringed but untagged 2cy bird, most likely one of the Sussex born, last years juvs.
Yellow wagtails today and y’day, a Tree pipit and single Crossbill on the 11th were the first of the year for me and Black Redstarts are still a daily feature with 5 on the 10th being the higher count, Swallows also being seen daily now with 15 on the 11th the best number so far. Little–ringed plover, Golden plover and Whimbrel have all been heard flying over in recent days too.
PERDIX BIRDER 