a proper red-breasted flycatcher, never seen a male in the uk before. also on the top of beachy this morning 10 ring ouzels and a dozen bramblings. yesterday a marsh harrier passed southwest through west rise.

short seawatch off holywell in the rain - first scan produced arctic skua, bonxie and then an osprey which looked funny powering through the wave troughs (it gained height as it came in towards cow gap). not much happening after that but an arctic skua came ashore and flew up and down the cliff edge amongst the gulls and another distant small skua was seen briefly. an adult shag was on the sea.

during the week i had a singing firecrest in my local park.

lunchtime quickie at west rise produced caspian and yellow-legged gulls and lots of lessers on the move