Seawatching at Splash Point with The Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS).

Sunday 2nd May 2021

07.00 to 10.45

Splash Point, Seaford

It was down to the south coast this morning for a long-awaited seawatching event run by the SOS.  I was lucky to get a place in one of the two groups that were offered to members - the "rule of 6" still applies for now. 

• Martin was also in my group and I took time out before the start to show him the nesting colony of over 100 Kittiwakes on the cliff ledges at the foot of Seaford Head.

The weather was not conducive to bird movement with hardly any wind and what we had was offshore rather than onshore.  Nevertheless we seated ourselves on the beach, 2m apart, made ourselves comfortable and enjoyed the expert guidance of Simon.  Mark guided the second group.

• The undoubted highlight of the morning was the sight of several groups of Mediterranean Gulls flying overhead.  In all we recorded a huge total of 33, easily the best ever for me.

courtesy of Simon Linington and the Sussex Ornithological Society

• Whimbrel passage was also very evident and at least 14 were seen flying east of course.
• At least 250 Commic Terns could be seen on the horizon.
• The first species for my year list was, inevitably, Common Scoter with flocks passing through at regular intervals.
• 6 Little Gulls were a very pleasing sight as they flew by.
• My first Peregrine sighting of 2021 - a cracking close view as the bird moved west along the shoreline flying over our heads enroute.
• A winter-plumaged Red-throated Diver showed well slightly to the west of us.
• One of the local seawatching group took us on a short detour to see 2 Shags swimming and diving in the sea.
• The same group, viewing from a slightly more elevated position than us, alerted us to a distant Bonxie on the horizon.
• Other species seen included Shelduck, Sandwich Tern, Gannet, Fulmar, Oystercatcher and Brent Goose.  

Dog-walking responsibilities and the declining weather situation caused me to leave around 10.45.  It had been a most refreshing and productive experience.   

Thanks SOS!  

I will follow this up in the next 2 weeks.