07/01/2016 Purple Sandpipers at Newhaven a.m. plus Long-eared Owl at the Burgh

Thursday 7th January 2016



Newhaven Tide Mills, East Sussex        11.00 to 12.30

• I took advantage of the mid-morning high tide to pay a flying visit to the east pier at Newhaven Harbour to see 9 Purple Sandpipers sheltering from the elements among the supporting beams.  

The Burgh, West Sussex         13.45 to 14.15

• Another flying visit, this time to the Burgh near Arundel to look for Short-eared Owls.  By this time the weather was bright and sunny.  It didn't take long to find one flying low over the vegetation in the bottom of the valley.  Not long after I saw and heard a Raven, having an altercation with a Buzzard.

• Other species seen included Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Buzzard, Kestrel and Corn Bunting.

Additions to BUBO 2016 UK Year List

91   Purple Sandpiper

92   Short-eared Owl

93   Raven        

Not many birds seen but the quality was superb!