Seawatching at Splash Point with the Ashdown Bird Group (ABG) and the Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS)

 

Sunday 3^rd May 2026

Splash Point, Seaford, 07.00 to 11.30

Ashdown Bird Group

(9 members present plus 18 more from the SOS)

Members of the Ashdown Bird Group joined the Sussex Ornithological Society at Splash Point, Seaford, for a spring seawatch led by Simon Linington.

Conditions were not especially favourable, with light south-westerly winds and some early fog reducing visibility offshore, but there was still a steady passage of birds through the morning and enough activity to keep everyone interested. By the end of the session, we had recorded a respectable 35 species.

The most numerous birds were Sandwich Terns, with at least 43 counted, while regular movement of Common Scoters totalled 32. Other highlights included 23 Gannets, 26 Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Mediterranean Gulls, several Sanderlings, Brent Geese, Turnstones, and two distant Red-throated Divers first spotted by Alison.

Sandwich Tern - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Common Scotor - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Gannets - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Red-throated Diver - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Around mid-morning, Simon spotted three Arctic Skuas moving offshore, though only a few members could see them clearly due to their height and distance. Later, while some of the group visited the nearby Kittiwake colony below Seaford Head, a Bonxie (Great Skua) passed through, seen only by Dave from the ABG group.

The visit to the Kittiwake colony proved particularly worthwhile, giving close views of birds nesting on the chalk cliffs, while a resident Rock Pipit also provided a nice local sighting.

Nesting Kittiwakes - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Kittiwake - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Kittiwakes- courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Rock Pipit- courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Although the hoped-for Pomarine Skuas failed to appear, it was still an enjoyable and worthwhile morning in good company.

Thanks to Martin for organising the trip, to Simon for leading the watch, and to Ian Hodgson and Phil Aylen for providing the photographs.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

148 Common Scoter

149  Kittiwake

150  Sanderling