Term 1 2016: Birdlist

This term I have been extremely busy; I have spent more time on my patch and less time out at more productive sites. Consequently, for the first time in quite a while, my total for species seen of 72, is significantly less than in previous years (97 in 2015 and 88 in 2014).

Yarrellii Pied Wagtail at Sovereign Harbour.

Ironically this Autumn has probably been the most remarkable for rare migrants that I have been aware of. Nevertheless I have seen some lovely birds.

Black-headed Gull at Norwich.

Autumn being a time of transition, I have seen hirundines and warblers, but also my first Redwing and Wigeon of Winter.

Wigeon at West Rise Marsh.

The Black Swans were a highlight, though I accept that they can only be described as a feral species at best.

Black Swans at Sovereign Harbour.

A visit to Hampshire for a wedding meant I had great views of Red Kites. These charismatic birds are a rarity in Eastbourne, but very common there.

Red Kite at Oakley, Hampshire.

The Ring Ouzel invasion was a marvellous highlight, generating my second patch tick of the term, the first was a passage Wheatear. Another highlight was my second ever Black Tern, at West Rise Marsh.

Stonechat at Seaford Head.

There were 13 species I expected to see that eluded me, with Greylag Goose being the most surprising. On the plus side Bearded Tit and Tawny Owl were welcome surprises.

Goldcrest at Foxholes Brow, part of my patch.

The list:

Mute Swan

Black Swan

Canada Goose

Eurasian Wigeon

Mallard

Tufted Duck

Pheasant

Little Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Grey Heron

Little Egret

Cormorant

Red Kite

Sparrowhawk

Common Buzzard

Kestrel

Merlin

Hobby

Moorhen

Coot

Northern Lapwing

Eurasian Curlew

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Black tern

Stock Dove

Woodpigeon

Feral Pigeon

Collared Dove

Tawny Owl

Green Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Magpie

Jay

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Raven

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Coal Tit

Bearded Tit

Swallow

House Martin

Common Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Blackcap

Common Whitethroat

Goldcrest

Wren

Starling

Ring Ouzel

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Redwing

Robin

European Stonechat

Northern Wheatear

Dunnock

House Sparrow

Yellow Wagtail

White Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Rock Pipit

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Linnet

Reed Bunting