Sunday 27^th April 2025

Splash Point, Seaford, 07.00 to 10.00 hr

Ashdown Bird Group

(10 members present)

 

Trip Report

After last year’s calamitous seawatch, we hoped for better things today. The weather was certainly much warmer, with bright sunshine from the start. However, we were unlucky with the direction of the wind again, and as a result, we did not have the large passage of birds we had hoped for.  The wind was gentle and westerly, a far cry from the strong south-easterly that favours a steady flow of migrating birds.  By 10.00, we had seen as much as we were likely to get, and it was time to move on.

Four members decided to visit Newhaven East Pier where over ten Purple Sandpipers were seen yesterday.

Splash Point

This was another good turnout by our members.   Today, we were privileged to have Alastair Gray with us to guide us through the events.

• Two Arctic Skuas went through.   The first was missed by most of us as we had just arrived.  Thankfully, everyone got a good look at the second.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

•        These were the only Skuas seen today

What follows are the highlights of the other birds seen:-

• Brent Geese were the largest group on the move, with at least 46 seen

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Terns were popular movers too, with 43 logged - all of them Sandwich Terns.

Courtesy of Alison Playle

• Whimbrels in flight are always well worth seeing and today we saw at least 19

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• There was a significant passage of Mediterranean Gulls, noisy as ever as they flew by.

Courtesy of Alison Playle.

• This Rock Pipit just begged to be included, popping up at regular intervals by the jetty.

Courtesy of Alison Playle.

• Most of us detoured the nearby chalk cliffs to see the nesting Kittiwakes ....

Courtesy of Alison Playle.

• .... and the flying Kittiwakes.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• We always see Fulmars at Splash Point.

Courtesy of Alison Playle.

• Just like the Rock Pipit, this Cormorant demanded to be included.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

As you have seen, there were many excellent birds on view this morning. The issue is that there were simply not enough!

• We didn't see any Pomarine Skuas, although there was a significant passage over the following days.
• The situation with Bonxies is more complicated. The recent bird flu seems to have reduced their numbers, and it will take time to see them return to normal.
• 2 Arctic Skuas is reasonable but could be better.

This trip was better than last year but still well short of the halcyon days when we had a continuous stream of migrating birds.  It’s a “hit and miss” situation when trying to schedule a seawatching trip – one day soon we will strike it lucky! 

Newhaven Harbour East Pier and Tidemills

Jem and Phil had not seen Purple Sandpipers this year, so we decided to go to nearby Newhaven Harbour and walk to the east pier where they were seen yesterday.  

• En route, in the Tidemills area, we were drawn to this gorgeous Sedge Warbler singing in a nearby bush.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

As we arrived at the east pier, it was just about high tide, and the Purple Sandpipers were showing at the water line of the concrete supports.

• However, the best views were on the top of the pier, with 8 birds basking in the sunshine.  

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• They were oblivious to us and the other visitors. 

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• On the return leg to the car park we saw this lovely Whitethroat.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• This cracking Meadow Pipit drew our attention.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

This was a delightful detour, giving some memorable views of the Purple Sandpipers.  What a pity we didn't bring more people with us!

Species list
Name:	Count
Great Black-backed Gull	1
Greenfinch	2
House Sparrow	3
Linnet	4
Magpie	5
Meadow Pipit	6
Purple Sandpiper	7
Robin	8
Sedge Warbler	9
Skylark	10
Stonechat	11
Whitethroat	12
Wren	13
Species count = 13

Thanks Martin for another lovely birding trip – lots to see and in excellent company as usual!

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Hastings

2025 species count = 156

New Species:

155  Arctic Skua

156  Sedge Warbler