Velvet Scoter and Glossy Ibis

Rye Harbour - cold, showery, w 2 - Day three of the bird tour and we decamped into Sussex, and what a cracker it turned out to be. The scrubby area by the viewpoint at Castle Water was alive with passerines including seven species of warblers and we had good views of Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Song Thrush. From the viewpoint looking out across the wetland Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzards and a Cuckoo were the highlights, plus Mediterranean Gulls and Whimbrels overhead calling and a booming Bittern.
  Moving onto the Beach reserve from the John Gooder`s hide a host of waders on Flat Beach included 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Turnstones and several Dunlins in breeding plumage, a Little Ringed Plover amongst the Ringed Plovers, 3 Barwits and a steady passage of Whimbrels over. Avocets were on every available island. On Ternery Pool up to 100 Sandwich Terns were performing their nuptials, while the islands were stacked out with hundreds of Black-headed and 10 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls, 10 Common Terns, although we couldn`t find any signs of Little Tern. Around the circuit Wheatear, Skylark and Yellow Wagtails were all noted.

                                Avocet and Redshank, Rye Harbour

Pett Level - This afternoon we moved down the road to Pett, lured by news of 2 Velvet Scoters on the sea which we soon located amongst a flock of 30 Common Scoters. Astonishingly, the Glossy Ibis from last winter put in an appearance by the roadside pools! Also present a Black-necked Grebe, 6 Dabchicks, more Whimbrels, plus Fulmars on the cliffs at Fairlight.