crazy coincidence this morning. went to check wilmington on the off chance the red-rumped swallow reported last night would still be there, then carried on to beachy. got out the car at birling to see a swallow coming in off the sea. 'funny, looks like a red-rumped swallow....fuck it IS a red-rumped swallow!' bird came right overhead and continued towards belle tout wood with a swift (1st of year) hot on its tail. what are the odds? somehow i've only managed to see one (!) rumper in the uk before which was at guildford in 1997. had a quick march round the belle tout area in a grim northeasterly but the place was devoid of migrants.

on 11th the first reed warbler at west rise and on 12th a common sandpiper there.

on 13th a fantastic fall of willow warblers at beachy. not much variety tho - new for the year were ring ouzel, redstart, whitethroat and firecrest.

on 15th a light passage at splash point with bonxie, little tern and tree pipit new for the year.