on 1st there was a large passage of lesser black-backs through west rise. some of the juvs are brand spankers and the small, frosty ones especially good looking/interesting. now is the time to be looking for baltic gull....

a garganey at west rise and a 1st-winter yellow-legged gull which went off and landed on a rooftop

not much happening on the passerine front down the east side of beachy but a pomarine skua chasing herring gulls offshore and 2 yellow-legged gulls with 25 lesser black-backs on holywell beach. both birds showing a good number of 2nd gen wing coverts

quick look at west rise. some gull passage including these 3

bird 1. caspo-esque. such a long attenuated rear on this one. the pic where it's rolling on its side especially showing a nice plain, pale grey saddle contrasting with the tertials, something you see on caspos. the underwing is pretty dark

bird 2. more straight forward. classic head/bill

bird 3. another sleek bird, long primary projection. the more advanced of the 3 in terms of moult - several 2nd gen wing coverts

first visit to west rise since the rain. a lovely 1st-winter yellow-legged gull (roll on december!!!) a green sand, 2 common sands and 2 kingfishers. also today a hobby, a greenshank and 18 dunlin down the cuckmere. on 9th had the first firecrest of autumn at holywell.

wrynecks at cow gap, whitbread hollow and shooter's bottom. an out of place barwit was in the hollow but evaded the nets and the summering black redstart was still present.

the last two days a few waders down the cuckmere, best being 2 green sands and 2 greenshanks. i dunno if anyone counts the canada geese down there (?!) but i watched an impressive flight of 950 birds leaving their roost this morning, interrupted by an osprey overhead. pied fly also a year tick today.

another one on the list

whilst gutting this fish on the beach i was suddenly surrounded by fulmars like gulls to bread, their senses really are incredible