01/09/2026

Short-eared Owl over the old sandpit

No sign of yesterdays Red-necked Phalarope at the Jurys Gap Sandpit this morning, but compensation in the form of a Short-eared Owl that flew over towards Camber. The few bushes there held lots of Willow Warblers, Common and Lesser Whitethroats and a couple of Blackcaps.

Red-backed Shrike

I found a Red-backed Shrike just north of the trapping area late morning. Late afternoon Jacob found a Wryneck in the same place, both birds were still present at dusk. Also there today Many Sylvia Warblers and Willow Warblers.

At the ARC 3+ Garganey, 2 Black Terns, a Little Gull, 2 Wood Sandpipers, several each of Ruff and Common Sandpiper along with usual wildfowl.

From Firth, the White-winged Black Tern still present today with 4 Black Terns, 3 Greenshank, 4+ Ruff, 2 Little Stints, a Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpipers.

Willow Warbler

Common Whitethroat

30/31/08/2026

A few of the many images I took of the confiding Red-necked Phalarope I came across on my early afternoon visit to the Jurys Gap Sandpit, East Sussex today. Also Wood Sandpiper, Ruffs, Common Sandpipers and a juvenile Black Tern.

1 of 2 Whinchats along the fence line of Flat Pit, East Sussex, also 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 5 Ruff.

Definitely just a record image of a Storm Petrel passing the sea watch hide yesterday  morning

Balearic Shearwater passing the fishing boats yesterday

The Images below were taken yesterday, the Terns were still present today plus a nice suite of waders. At the ARC nothing much has changed, Garganeys still present and good suite of waders present

34 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, a Dunlin and a Juvenile Black Tern at Firth yesterday

Juvenile Black Tern from Firth

Juvenile White-winged Black Tern from Firth

Whimbrel from Firth

29/08/2026

Excellent day totals from todays sea watching, Well done to the guys and girls who put in a long shift, I have to admit that I was only present for a couple of hours this afternoon but still saw most of the species listed despite the absolute deluge.

Juvenile Caspian Gull at the fishing boats

Juvenile Caspian Gull at the fishing boats

Black Tern passing the fishing boats

3 Greenshank dropped into a large puddle at Boulderwall for a bath late afternoon

Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit from Firth

Once again lots of waders were reported coming and going from Firth throughout the day, there was also 3 Black Terns and the White-winged Black Tern there. Its a shame the lookout doesn't offer the same amount of protection from the weather that the hide did.

Pintail from Hanson

28/08/2026

A morning and afternoon sea watch produced my first 2 Balearic Shearwaters of the year, c8 Arctic Skuas are loitering for unwary Terns and a couple of Fulmars were present but little else. 

Osprey over the Jurys Gap sand pit late morning

Osprey over the Jurys Gap sand pit late morning

Osprey over the Jurys Gap sand pit late morning

Around the reserve an impressive flock of 17 Garganey (albeit mainly asleep) at Dengemarsh found by

Richard. On Burrowes 4 Little Stints, 30 Knot, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Dunlin. Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpipers and Black-tailed Godwits.

At the ARC numerous Common Snipe, Wood Sandpiper Common and Green Sandpipers, Ruffs, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers and 3 Garganey.

Opposite Kerton Road junction 2 Whinchat, Common and Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcap and Willow Warblers.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull playing with is food at the fishing boats this afternoon

A couple of Fulmars past the fishing boats this afternoon

27/08/2026

The White-winged Black Tern was still present today and still showing in the gloomy conditions this morning. A bit of a wader fest with 19 species today on the reserve with Spotted Redshank, Common Redshanks, Greenshanks, Curlew,Wood, Green and Common Sandpipers, Little Stints, Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Knots, Ruff, Turnstone, Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers, Lapwings, Common Snipes and Dunlin. 

Another Honey Buzzard was over the peninsula today making 5 in the last 2 days, I have managed to miss every one so far.🙄

A sea watch this afternoon was a rather slow affair, with 280+ Sandwich Terns, 5 Arctic Skuas and a Marsh Harrier.
 

White-winged Black Tern from Firth

Ruff

Little Stints

Great White Egret

Great White Egret takes a Jack Pike in front of Hanson

One of 4 Garganey seen from Hanson today

25/08/2026

Juvenile Caspian Gull same bird as below

Dutch ringed Juvenile Caspian Gull (this bird was first seen yesterday bur still present today) 

Arctic Skua harassing a Sandwich tern at the fishing boats this afternoon

The last few days has brought us strong NE winds, with them came 1,000s of Sandwich Terns and Gulls, but very little else. The first 2 Sooty Shearwaters of the year and double figure numbers of Arctic Skuas, also a couple of Ospreys neither of which hung around.

A German ringed bird from a mixed colony, even the ringer didn't know what it was

A moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper from Firth late afternoon

The White-winged Black Tern was still present. also a couple of Little Stints still present at Firth.