Sunday 10 February 2002

10th February 2002 Beachy Head 9.00 - 11.15am. Strong westerly wind. Overcast and cold. Birling Sea-watch, Birling Lane and Chat Vale


Red-throated Diver 3E and 1 juv. on sea. Juv. had grey crown and nape with hindneck wholly dark when viewed facing away. White throat contrasted with grey neck sides and upper-neck. Neck vertical appearing flat chested. Bill held pointed upwards at times. Upperparts appeared grey-brown contrasting with white flanks an even width along their length. Appeared small.
Little Grebe 2 Cuckmere
Great Crested Grebe 1 distant on sea off Birling
Fulmar c.5
Gannet 2W adults
Grey Heron c.5 Cuckmere
Mute Swan 1 Cuckmere
Greylag Goose 3 Cuckmere
Canada Goose c.15 Cuckmere
Shelduck 2W Birling
Teal c.15 Cuckmere
Mallard c.5 Cuckmere
Kestrel 1 roadside
Mediterranean Gull 1 2nd-winter. Flew east at Birling landing on the sea for c.3 minutes. Appeared almost pure white with some dark mottling appearing as a shadow of a hood. Bill bright orange-red with black subterminal band. Extensive black on primaries giving effect of white mirrors whilst sat on the water and extending along the primaries in flight. Ex.
Black-headed Gull c.25 including a few 1st-winter individuals amongst majority of ad. Winters.
Common Gull c.15 1st-winter, 2nd-winter and ad. Winter birds seen
Herring Gull c.15 Only 1st-winter individuals seen apart from a single 2nd-winter seen.
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 adult graellsii Cuckmere
Guillemot 2E
Razorbill 1 ad. Summer on sea off Birling. Stout bill with white horizontal line occasionally visible, overall black appearance to upperparts. Long pointed tail often held pointing upwards.
Collared Dove 1 roadside
Skylark c.7 + others h singing
Rock Pipit 2 Birling
Dunnock 2 Burgess Hill
Fieldfare c.10 Ditchling Beacon feeding with Starlings
Blue Tit 3 Birling
Magpie 1 roadside
Jackdaw c.10 roadside
Carrion Crow 1 Burgess Hill
Starling c.10 Ditchling Beacon
House Sparrow c.8 Burgess Hill