Ouzel say nay

Another fine day for birding on the cliffs and Downs of Sussex.

This time we were particularly interested in two birds but managed to see neither.

The birds in question were a Short-eared Owl which had been seen several times recently at Crowlink and the Ring Ouzel several of which had been sighted recently around the Seahaven area.

We went first to Crowlink where we saw no sign of the Owl, who might well have been out hunting when we called. Below us on the rocks we did see a great many Oystercatchers and were treated to a wonderful display flight of Oystercatchers and Curlew: The Curlew peeling off and landing leaving the "V" of striking black and white Oystercatchers to wheel round showing off before landing with their fellows, we climbed up further but the bright sun made potential gannet sightings out to see rather problematic and the day seemed very quiet apart from the usual Crows and Magpies. 

We then headed for Newhaven, where we had lunch and then set about viewing likely spots for the Ring Ouzel. Having had no luck down below near the harbour we ascended to the coastguard look-out above where we encountered a fellow amateur birder who thought he might have seen one.

We spent some time watching the area through binoculars and 'scope but saw mainly Starlings. We then decided to come at the problem from another angle and decended to a path below, nearer the cliff edge. Being from this area, I have a healthy knowledge and respect for how suddenly the edge of the country can move yards inland but we obtained our vantage point without mishap and staked out the bushes once more.

This time my friend not only saw the female blackbird which I had seen before but also a male...or was it?  After a slight identification mix up concerning eye-rings was checked in a book, he was not so sure. Still the bird had only been see from the rear with a brief flash of its head and identification was doubtful at best.

Finally we headed towards Seaford Head and one last attempt to see a Ring Ouzel. We made our way down to the spectacular view of the Seven Sisters at Hope Gap but again the landscape seemed curiously empty. The main reward for our trip, apart fromt he view itself was a solitary Eider Duck bobbing in and out of sight out on the waves.

Not the best of days from the list-ticking point of view but the weather, scenery and for me the Oystercatchers made it a very enjoyable experience.

We also saw Dunnocks, Wheatear, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackcap, Stone Chat and Sparrowhawk among others.