At Rock-A-Nore, Hastings: 40 Common Scoter, Great Northern Diver, 112 Red-throated Divers, 30 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Gannets, 200 Common Gulls and 3 Guillemots flew east in a moderate SE wind between 0800 and 0830.
(B Grimes). from www.sos.org.uk
There has been next to no wintering birds offshore from Hastings over the last two or three weeks so it is was good to see a return to form today with 80+ red-throated divers and 50+ auks flying east past West St Leonards this morning. Two common scoter, a kittiwake and a great crested grebe also flew east. Later in the morning 8 great crested grebes and 6 red-throated divers were present feeding offshore.
A Raven was an unexpected visitor to the Beach Reserve this morning. It was last seen heading along the coast towards the Old Lifeboat House.
A few additional highlights this afternoon, at Castle Water 2 Bittern, 4 Smew (2 drakes), Goldeneye, Kingfisher and a Marsh Harrier. In the fields at the north end of Castle Water 15 Ruff, 170 Lapwing, 44 Golden Plover and 88 Canada Goose.