Pevensey - 21st December

The recent reports of a Shore Lark at Pevensey in East Sussex were too good to resist given the proximity to Bexhill. The guidance given on various websites meant that it was fairly easy to find the location and the addition of half a dozen additional local birders made it easier to track down the bird which was seen within a ca. 1Km stretch of the beach. Eventually it settled near the Martello Tower and whilst feeding allowed very close views down to 10 metres. Close inspection showed that the 'horns' were just about visible. Another great day and another first.

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Sovereign Harbour - 20th December

Sovereign Harbour near Eastbourne has a reputation for attracting unusual sea ducks and auks during the winter months. Last winter a Velvet Scoter stayed for several months feeding off the crabs which seem to be plentiful in both the inner and outer harbours. This year a Great Northern Diver had been present for several weeks in the outer harbour and when I arrived it swam close to the edge and fished for crabs. In the inner harbour there were also a pair of Guillemots who have an amazing ability to swim large distances underwater. I returned a couple of days later and also found a Razorbill in the inner harbour.

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Guillemot

Pair of Guillemots

Guillemot

Razorbill

Neston Marsh - 12th December

I decided to have another go at photographing the Short-eared Owls at Neston Marsh by walking out onto the marsh itself. Having arrived at ca. 1.00 p.m. the first SEO appeared within 30 minutes, initially at some distance but slowly coming closer. Later a second and then a third bird appeared and eventually they came within distance allowing some reasonable photos. By 3.00 p.m. the light was beginning to fade a little although the owls continued to hunt for prey despite being mobbed by Carrion Crows.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Earlier in the day I stopped off at Puddington Lane where there was a mixed flock of mainly Little Egret together with 2 Cattle Egret and 1 Great Egret.

Little Egrets with 2 Cattle Egrets

Great, Cattle and Little Egret in Flight

Great Egret

Burton Mere & Neston Marsh - 5th December

A first visit of the winter to Burton Mere RSPB where a Great Egret was feeding close to the visitor centre offering excelling views. Also present were some Little Egrets, Black-tailed Godwits, Teal and Shoveler together with flocks of Pink-Footed Geese in the distance. Later I moved on to Neston Marsh where a Short-eared Owl appeared at around 2.00 p.m. but did not really come close enough for photography.

Great Egret

Little Egret

Long-tailed Tit

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl