4th January 2020 - Day out in East Sussex

We started our day at Penhurst Lane (Netherfield) to look for Hawfinches and were rewarded with 19 showing well perched at the top of their usual tree between 07:53 and 08:11 viewed from the metal gate at grid ref TQ696178. Afterwards we headed to Battle Sewage Works where the overwintering House Martin was still happily hawking over the works, also of note here was a Firecrest, Grey Wagtail and 2 Chiffchaff. Next stop was Pett Level where we found 3 of the 8 White-fronted Geese and a blue morph Snow Goose, a Great White Egret, 5 Ruff and 2 Bearded Tits. Offshore were ca.10 Red-throated Divers and 2 Common Scoter. At Scotney Gravel Pits we saw a superb male Marsh Harrier on the Sussex side whilst just over the border near the causeway was the Long-tailed Duck, the 3 that had been on the Sussex side had done a disappearing act today! Also of note on the Kent side was another Great White Egret in fields just to the north of Burnthouse Pen. We ended our day at Rye Harbour where there were 43 Brent Geese on the salt marsh near the visitor centre. A scan from Denny Hide produced the redhead Smew and on the Long Pit the Black-necked Grebe was still present whilst the pools at Harbour Farm held 4 Goldeneye (1 drake and 3 females). An enjoyable day out and 90 species recorded in total.

4 of 19 Hawfinch, Penhurst Lane, Netherfield, East Sussex