Very quiet offshore but nice to see good numbers of Sandwich Tern moving. Nice to catch up with a couple of Grey Partridge, just about hanging on as a breeding species in the local area, and my first Whinchat in the setaside.

Sandwich Tern 70E 90W

Gannet - 2E

Med Gull - 7E

Great-crested Grebe - 1os

Little Egret - 4

Whimbrel - 8

Sanderling - 20W

Oystercatcher - 1W

Grey Partridge - 2

Red-legged Partridge - 1

Whinchat - 1

Lesser Whitethroat - 1

Swallow - 20

Yet another unrewarding attempt at a sea watch, with the highlight being a pod of Dolphin, some close inshore, moving slowly east.

Sandwich Tern - 87E 37W

Commic Tern - 2E

Gannet - 12E

Med Gull - 2W

Bar-tailed Godwit - 4E

Whimbrel - 33E

Oystercatcher - 5W

Turnstone - 3W

Common Scoter - 22E

Brent Geese - 13E

Swallow - 9 

Dolphin

Whimbrel

Brent Geese

I was just finishing a cup of tea at home, when Paul Bowley, who was at Selsey Bill, reported a flock of four Pomarine Skuas going east, at moderate range, via the WhatsApp group. Knowing that a good number of such Poms are too distant to see from the local patch, I hesitated for a minute or two, pondering my chances. It usually takes about 20 minutes for such birds to appear at Elmer Rocks, if they are going to, so it was up and away, onto my push bike, and I was in position with a good five minutes to spare. A few birds were moving offshore, but no sign on any Poms at the 'designated' time. A few minutes passed and I was thinking it was too late - but then at 0637hrs they appeared, a flock of 4 Poms in a line, close together and at a range allowing good views. Magic. Presumably the very strong headwind had slowed them somewhat. I immediately put the news out and the birds were subsequently reported off Worthing at fairly close range. A very productive half-hour's local birding.

Other stuff seen was:-
Arctic Skua – 1 l/p chasing terns then flew off east
Bar-Wit – 10E
Whimbrel – 5E
Fulmar – 1 o/s flew off west
Sand Tern – 4E
Gannet – 2E
Gt B-b Gull – 4E
 
In just over half-hour, cheers OM