Splash Point movements 30 Jan

An excellent day at Splash today. In about 1 hour 30 mins(last 30 minutes with Dick Gilmore), the following counted: Gannet; 10W, 1 offshore. Wigeon3 flew E together about a mile offshore. Razorbill18W, 3 of which stopped offshore for a few minutes very close in, giving excellent views. Auk species 31W, 2E. Brent Goose34E high above sea in V-flock, with 8 passing West unusual. Red-throated Diver1E, 2 offshore. Diver species 3 offshore, 2W. Black-throated Diver1E, and Curlew18W. The Black-throated Diver was especially good as it was a lifer for me, and means I have now seen a quadruple of divers in Sussex(saw the White-billed as Selsey a few years ago.)

24th Jan 2010-Splash Point

got down to Splash for an hour and a halfs seawatching. Throughout there was a constant stream of gulls hading West close inshore, mainly Herring, Black-headed and Common but including a Mediterranean, my 90th species of 2010. 91 and 92 were provided by Fulmar(10 or so cruising the cliffs) and Kittiwake(a raft of 200+ offshore presumably returning from their winter in the oceans early). Also seen moving offshore during the time were Gannet(8 fishing offshore and 3 West), Red-throated Diver (1E), unidentified diver species (15W and 4E), Unidentified Auk species(6W), a Little Gull(1E) and a Brent Goose(1W). Also present were several Rock Pipits on the boulders and beach. Also of interest was a Fulmar inland over Seaford, flying over the houses on Southdown Road. I have seen then over the town annually or the past few years, though usually they turn up in Spring and Summer(seen in Aug 07, Jun 08 and May 09).