2002 News


2007 News 2006 News 2005 News 2004 News 2003 News	November 30th 2002 60 Pied Wagtail with 50 Meadow Pipit in the fields behind the school, and a total of 5 Stonechat in the Roedean/Ovingdean area. November 24th 2002 Sea-watching from Ovingdean beach between 8:00 and 9:20 produced 6 Little Gulls ( 2 1st winters ), 1 Red Throated Diver, 11 Common Scoter, 25 Red Breasted Mergansers, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Teal. November 23rd 2002 Sea-watching from Ovingdean beach between 8:30 and 11:30 produced 1 Little Auk flying east close in at 10:27, 2 Black Throated Divers, 9 Red Throated Divers, 2 1st winter Little Gulls, 3 Shelduck, 10 Common Scoter, 2 Red Breasted Mergansers, 16 Gannets and 3 Auk sp. November 22nd 2002 Sea-watching from Ovingdean beach between 15:30 and 14:15 produced 11 Little Gulls ( 3 1st winters ), 2 Red Throated Divers, 1 Red Breasted Merganser and 3 Mediterannean Gulls ( 1st win, 2nd win, Ad ). November 20th 2002 Sea-watching from Ovingdean beach between 13:30 and 15:00 produced 7 Red Throated Divers, 28 Red Breasted Mergansers, 7 Auk sp, 7 Dunlin and 1 adult Mediterannean Gull. November 17th 2002 Today produced just 1 heard only Jay, 2 Redwings and 1 Goldcrest with 20 Skylarks over. November 15th 2002 Today produced a single Pheasent, a Male Blackcap, 4 Stonechats and 1 Redwing with 17 Goldfinches, 4 Skylarks and 2 Corn Buntings flying over. November 5th 2002 Today produced only 1 Fieldfare, 15 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Chaffinches in the bushes with 15 Skylarks and 4 Corn Buntimgs flying over. November 3rd 2002 Today produced 18 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Corn Buntings, 20 Skylarks, 5 Meadow Pipits and a Jay all flying over. October 3rd 2002 A first for the area was seen today when a First Winter Yellow Legged Gull circled above Roedean. Also seen today were 3 Stonechats. September 28th 2002 Today produced 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Reed Warbler in the hedges while on the fields there was a single Whinchat, about 30 Linnets and about 500 Meadow Pipits. Overhead there were 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Chaffinch, 9 Skylarks, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a few House Martins. September 27th 2002 Today produced just 4 Chiffchaffs. September 25th 2002 Today produced 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 male Blackcap and a juvenile Cormorant flew North East over Roedean school. September 23rd 2002 Today there was just a single Chiffchaff and 1 Green Woodpecker on the ground with 1 Grey Wagtail over with the movement of Hirundines and Meadow Pipits still continuing. September 22nd 2002 Today produced 12 Chiffchaffs on the ground and overhead 7 Grey Wagtails, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Chaffinches, 4 Skylarks, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Corn Bunting and the first Reed Bunting of the Autumn. The Movement of Meadow Pipits and Hirundines continued. September 21st 2002 Today produced 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Lesser Whitethroat, while overhead there were 8 Chaffinches, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Skylarks, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipits, many Meadow Pipits and Hirundines consisting mainly of House Mratins but also a few Swallows and Sand Martins. September 20th 2002 Nothing of note was seen today. September 19th 2002 Today produced 13 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser whitethroat, 4 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 2 Yellow Wagtails and about 300 Meadow Pipits. September 18th 2002 Today produced a scarce site record when an adult Mute Swan flew north up Roedean Bottom before continuing east through Woodingdean. Also today 11 Chiffchaffs, 1 male Blackcap, 2 Reed Warblers and about 400 Meadow Pipits. Overhead 20 Yellow Wagtails were seen inamongst a small movement of hirundines. September 17th 2002 Today there were 5 Chiffchaffs and 1 Lesser Whitethroat in the bushes with about 200 Meadow Pipits in the fields and many more flying east along with 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail and about 20 Yellow Wagtails. September 16th 2002 Todays highlight was a brief sighting of a Red Breasted Flycather, the first record for the area. It was seen in the hedge behind Roedean school and probably moved into the school grounds. Also there were 5 Chiffchaffs and 4 Willow Warblers in the bushes and about 150 Meadow Pipits in the fields with many more flying East. Also Many Swallows and House Martins still moving east. September 15th 2002 Today produced just a single Chiffchaff and a single Wheatear on the ground but overhead passage continued with 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail and House Martins with a few Swallows and Meadow Pipits moveing East. September 14th 2002 Today movement overhead was the main feature with many Hirundines and Meadow Pipits moveing east also 3 Tree Pipits, 9 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Chaffinches. The only grounded migrants were 2 Redstarts and a single Chiffchaff. September 13th 2002 Today produced the first Goldcrests of the Autumn with 2 seen. Also 1 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Wheatears, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Willow Warbler. Overhead there were 7 Tree Pipits, 16 Yellow Wagtails and many Hirundines with some Meadow Pipits amongst them. September 12th 2002 Today produced 1 Pied Flycatcher, 23 Whinchats, 14 Wheatears, 7 Chiffchaffs and 1 Willow Warbler while many Hirundines continued to move East overhead. September 11th 2002 Today the Raven was seen again lingering in the area for 45 minutes.Today also produced 1 Turtle Dove, 6 Redstarts, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 15 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whinchats and 11 Wheatears while overhead there were 22 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails and many Hirundines. September 5th 2002 Today produced just 3 Whinchats and 3 Wheatears. September 3rd 2002 Today produced 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatears with 9 Yellow Wagtails flying over. September 2nd 2002 Today produced another fist for the site when a Raven flew up Greenways Bottom over the church and landed briefly in the horse paddock. It then flew off over Mount Pleasent. Also today there was 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 Kestrels. September 1st 2002 Today produced a further 3 Crossbills also 2 Willow Warblers, 11 Wheatears, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Reed Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers. Overhead there were 46 Yellow Wagtails and Swallows, Sand Martins, House Martins and a single Swift. August 31st 2002 Today produce a flock of 5 Crossbills the first I have recorded at this site. Also 3 Willow Warblers, 13 Yellow Wagtails associating with the cows, and 1 Grey Wagtail over with Swallows Sand Martins and House Martins still moving west. August 29th 2002 Today produced a Pied Flycatcher, 3 Wheatears and 1 Yellow Wagtail. August 28th 2002 Today produced 4 Willow Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatears and 1 Reed Warbler. August 26th 2002 Today there was just a Juvenile Turtle Dove of note with a steady trickle of House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows overhead. August 25th 2002 Today produced just 2 Willow Warblers while overhead there was a single Yellow Wagtail and 5 Swifts with a steady trickle of House Martins and Swallows. August 24th 2002 Today produced 10 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 11 Wheatear and 4 Whinchat. Also the first Fly over Tree Pipit of the autumn. Hirrundines were also on the move today with Mainly House Martins, some Sand Martins and the odd group of Swallows moveing west. August 23rd 2002 Today produced a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warblers, 7 Whitethroat and 1 fly over Yellow Wagtail. August 22nd 2002 Today produced 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Warblers, 9 Whitethroats and a Single fly over Yellow Wagtail. Also of note is the Linnet flock now umber around 140 individuals. August 21st 2002 Today there were 3 Wheatears, 2 Reed Warblers, 4 Whitethroats and a single Chifchaff. Also a Peregrine took out one of the local Pigeons and 2 Yellow Wagtails and a single Grey Wagtail Flew over. August 20th 2002 Today the only birds of note were 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Whitethroats and 9 Swallows overhead with the local House Martins. August 19th 2002 Just 4 Willow Warblers were preasent today. August 18th 2002 Today produced only a single Willow Warbler. August 16th 2002 Today recorded the first Wheatears of the autumn with 2 in Roedean Botom. Also preasent today 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Reed Warblers. August 15th 2002 Today there were 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 5 Whitethroats and the first Redstart of the Autumn. Also a few Swifts filying west overhead. August 14th 2002 Today produced just a single Willow Warbler and 1 Sand Martin overhead with the House Martins. August 12th 2002 Today produced just 2 Willow Warblers. August 11th 2002 Today produced 27 Willow Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 4 Reed Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, a Pied Flycatcher, a Whimbrel flying south and calling continuously and a Marsh Harrier circling and gaining height over Cattle Hill unitll lost in the cloud cover. August 9th 2002 This evening produced 7 Reed Warblers a single Juvenile Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Whitethroats and 1 Green Woodpecker. August 4th 2002 9 Willow Warblers were present in the hedge behind Roedean school and two Green Woodpeckers fed on the roadside along Greenways Bottom. The Barn Owl again in the evening hunted over the fields in Greenways Bottom ranging as far as Beacon Hill. August 3rd 2002 A Barn Owl spent the evening hunting over fields along Greenways Bottom. August 1st 2002 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 8 Whitethroats and a Juvenile Yellowhammer. July 31st 2002 2 Willow Warblers and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. July 30th 2002 2 Willow Warblers and a single Whitethroat. July 27th 2002 1 Reed Warbler and 8 Whitethroats, also of note was a juvenile Green Woodpecker. July 22nd 2002 A Cuckoo flew East over Cattle Hill. July 21st 2002 A Sandwich Tern flew South East over Greenways bottom in the evening. July 18th 2002 A Cormerant flew North East over Bulstrode Farm. July 15th 2002 An adult Mediterannean Gull over Roedean School and a Reed Warbler nearby. July 14th 2002 A Marsh Harrier, the first recorded in the area, flew west over Cattle Hill at around 9:30. Hirundines and Swifts were on the move flying east during the morning. May 20th 2002 A single Curlew flew west and 2 Swallows over. May 17th to 19th 2002 Nothing of Note. May 16th 2002 Today saw 20 House Martins and 40 Swifts feeding over the rape field. May 15th 2002 Today saw the first Spotted Flycatcher of the year, also 20 House Martins lingering and 2 Swallows over. May 10th to 14th 2002 Nothing of note. May 9th 2002 A Cormerant flew East over Roedean School and 6 House Martins fed over the rape field. May 8th 2002 Nothing of note was seen today in a strong Northerly wind. May 7th 2002 Today produced a flock of 28 Bar-Tailed Godwits and 1 Whimbrel flying North East over Roedean School. Also 3 Whinchats, 5 Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warblers and a single Cormorant flying East. Also of note the pair of Red Legged Partridge that have been present for the last few years increased to 3 today. May 6th 2002 Today produced nothing of note. But at nearby Brighton Marina after a quiet morning things picked up. Highlights were 32 Pomerine Skuas including a flock of 10, 5 Arctic Skuas, 4 Black Throated Divers, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 2 Little Egrets. May 5th 200 Today produced only 2 Stonechats, 6 Swallows and a single Swift. May 4th 2002 Today produced only 1 Female Redstart, 1 Male Blackcap and a single Willow Warbler. Flying over were 11 Swallows. Nearby at Brighton Marina passage was almost non existant. The only bird of note being a Hobby in off the sea. May 3rd 2002 Today the weather improved and the first Garden Warblers appeared with 2 singing birds. Also seen were 5 Whinchats, 23 Willow Warblers, 3 Wheatears and 2 Redstarts. Also flying over were 1 Tree Pipit, 6 Swifts, 11 Swallows and 12 House Martins. May 2nd 2002 Today produced 5 Willow Warblers, 11 Whitethroats, 10 House Martins and 6 Swallows. But the rarest birds of the day were a Mistle Thrush that flew East over Cattle Hill and a Fulmer that flew West over Roedean Bottom. May 1st 2002 Today produced the first 2 Whinchats of the year also 8 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Swallows and 1 House Martin. April 30th 2002 Nothing of note today. April 29th 2002 Nothing of note today. April 28th 2002 Nothing of note today. April 27th 2002 Today produced the first 2 Swifts of the year but the best birds today were 2 Mistle Thrushes. Also seen today were 5 Whitethroats, 1 Swallow and 1 House Martin. April 26th 2002 Today produced just 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 1 House Martin and a Grey Partridge. April 25th 2002 Today produced 12 Whitethroat, 9 Willow Warblers, 3 Redstarts, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Wheatear, 1 House Martin and 3 Swallows. April 24th 2002 Today produced 1 Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps and a single Swallow. April 23rd 2002 2 Redstarts, both male, 2 Wheatears, 3 Willow Warblers and Whitethroats now on territory. April 22nd 2002 Just 5 Whitethroats being the only birds of note today. April 21st 2002 Today saw the first Whitethroats with 5 birds present, also 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warblers and a single Swallow. April 20th 2002 Today produced the first Redstart with 2 Females and 1 Male also the first Blackcap. Also seen were 2 Swallows and 4 Willow Warblers. April 19th 2002 A very quiet day with just 2 Sand Martins flying North and 1 House Martin lingering around Roedean School. April 18th 2002 Todays highlight was a Short Eared Owl that flew in of the Sea over Brighton Marina at 8:05 and landed in the Scrub at the entrance to Roedean School. What was presumably the same Short Eared Owl was seen again at 14:15 flying North East over Cattle Hill being mobbed by Gulls and Crows. Also seen today were the first House Martins with 3 being seen, a single Swallow, 5 Willow Warblers, 1 White Wagtail and 9 Wheatears. April 17th 2002 Today produced just 4 Willow Warblers and a Single Swallow. Overhead there was a small westerly movement of Wood Pigeons. April 16th 2002 Today produced the first record for the area of Mallard when a pair circled Roedean bottom .They seemed to land on a swimming pool in a Roedean Garden. They had spent the previous day at Sheepcote Valley. Another scarce record today was a Fulmar, the second for the area, which flew slowly West over Roedean Bottom. Also seen today was the first Lesser Whitethroat for the year singing near the entrance to Roedean School. Also 11 Willow Warblers and 3 Swallows. April 15th 2002 Today only managed to produce 2 Willow Warblers a single Swallow and 1 Reed Bunting. April 14th 2002 The wind eased and swung to the South West. The birds of note today were a group of 3 Canada Geese which flew North East over Roedean School, 4 Willow Warblers and a late first Swallow of the year. April 13th 2002 The wind continued to blow from the North East producing no birds of note. April 12th 2002 The wind remained in the North but eased considerably today. The only bird of note was a single Willow Warbler. April 11th 2002 The site was not visited today, but the North Easterlys continued to blow. April 10th 2002 The North Easterly wind still dominates and still no birds of note. April 9th 2002 Still the North wind dominates and still no birds of note. April 8th 2002 The strong North Easterly winds continue to dominate and failed to produce any noteworthy birds. April 7th 2002 Today was still dominated by a strong North Easterly wind but produced a new bird for the area when 2 Dark Bellied Brent Geese flew North through Greenways Bottom. At nearby Brighton Marina a pair of Garganey flew east and 2 Mediteranean Gulls, an adult and a 1st Winter, flew west. Also a few Grey Plovers and Bar-Tailed Godwits were on the move. April 6th 2002 Today produced nothing of note in strong North Easterly winds. April 5th 2002 Today produced 1 Goldcrest and 2 Wheatears and what would have been a good find was a probable Quail which flushed from short setaside on Cattle Hill but specific identification was not confirmed and the bird could not be relocated despite searching. April 4th 2002 Today produced 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 White Wagtails a Female Sparrowhawk and a good bird for the area a Jay. Other birds of new birds today were a flock of 12 Chaffinches. April 3rd 2002 Today produced 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Stonechats and a Yellowhammer flew East. The finch flock is also still preasent with 50+ Linnets and 30+ Goldfinches. April 2nd 2002 Todays birds included 2 Merlins 1 at dawn resting on a fence post flew off high out to sea and a second flew north up Roedean Bottom early evening. Also seen was a single Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechats and 1 White Wagtail. April 1st 2002 The only birds of note today were 2 Wheatears. At nearby Brighton Marina the highlights were 12 Arctic Skuas, 4 Velvet Scoters, 1 2nd year Mediteranean Gull and 4 Little Gulls. March 31st 2002 Today produced 4 Firecrests 3 along the hedge behind Roedean School and 1 in the bushes by the Golf course. Also 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Stonechat. Overhead passage consisted of Meadow Pipits and a few Linets. March 30th 2002 Highlight today was a Female Goshawk which flew North East over Cattle Hill at a height of approximatly 20 ft This is only the third record for the area. Another record for the area was a count of 15 Cormerants which flew East. Also seen today was 1 Peregrine which flew East and 1 Wheatear.At nearby Brighton Marina the highlights were 6 Scaup (1 Drake), 25 Velvet Scoters, 1 Avocet and the first 3 Common Terns of the year. March 29th 2002 2 Willow Warblers today were the first this year also 2 Stonechats. At Nearby Brighton Marina A House Martin flew in off the Sea, a Short Eared Owl flew out to sea and ducks were moving East. The ducks included 38 Velvet Scoter, 1 Tufted, 17 Pintail, 70 Teal, 74 Shovelor and 10 Shelduck. Also 5 Avocets, 5 Little Gulls, 3 Mediteranean Gulls and 1 Slavonian Grebe with the Brent total for the day 354. March 28th 2002 Today produced the best Bird so far this year with a Common Crane flying low North up Roedean Bottom.If it hadn't been harrassed so much by the local Gulls it would have probably landed. March 27th 2002 The only bird of note today was a single White Wagtail. March 26th 2002 Todays birds of interest were a Merlin flew North up Greenways Bottom and a White Wagtail was with Pied Wagtails at the entrance to Roedean School. A near miss today with an Adult un-tagged Red Kite flying in off the sea at Brighton Marina but carrying on North Up Sheecote Valley. March 25th 2002 Today produced another first for the area with a wing tagged Red Kite which flew East only a few feet above the ground over Cattle Hill. Only other birds of note were a single Stonechat and a Yellowhammer. March 24th 2002 Today produced 3 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, a Peregrine flew West, 4 Buzzards flew East and 2 Greylag Geese, a first for Ovingdean/Roedean flew north. At nearby Brighton Marina highlights were 8 Black Necked Grebes, 2 Long Tailed Ducks, 2 Velvet Scoters and an Avocet. Other ducks on the move included 2 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 12 Shovelor and 40 Pintail. March 23rd 2002 Very quiet today with just 1 Stonechat. March 22nd 2002 Today produced a singing Firecrest, 11 Redwings and a growing flock of Linnets and Goldfinches. March 21st 2002 Today there were 3 Wheatears, a Firecrest and 30 Redwings. March 20th 2002 Today produced the first Black Redstart of the year with a fine Male in the School grounds. Also seen today was 1 Wheatear and 1 Redwing. March 19th 2002 3 Firecrests present today also 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Stonechat. March 18th 2002 Todays highlight was a pair of Firecrests. The only other migrants were 3 Goldcrest and a few Meadow Pipits. March 17th, 2002 A Ring Ouzel was the earliest record at this site. Also seen was another Firecrest and 2 Goldcrests and a single Redwing. At nearby Brighton Marina the Black Necked Grebe was still off the West arm and a good movement of Little Gulls with 34 counted. March 16th, 2002 Supprisingly there was nothing of note today but nearby 2 Black Necked Grebes flew East past Brighton Marina and another lingered off the West arm. March 15th 2002 The weather was much improved today and this produced the first Wheatear with 4 being seen. Also noted were 2 Chiffchaffs and c500 Meadow Pipits 1 Redwing and 15 Robins. March 14th 2002 Nothing of interest again today with very strong Easterly winds. March 13th 2002 Today produced nothing of interest in strong North Easterly winds. March 12th 2002 Today produced the first real migrant with a female Firecrest in the hedge behind Roedean School.Other birds of note were 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redwing, 2 Grey Partridges and a Dark Green Male Pheasent which has been in the area since last autumn but not seen so far this year.
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November 30th 2002
60 Pied Wagtail with 50 Meadow Pipit in the fields behind the school, and a total of 5 Stonechat in the Roedean/Ovingdean area.

November 24th 2002
Sea-watching from Ovingdean beach between 8:00 and 9:20 produced 6 Little Gulls ( 2 1st winters ), 1 Red Throated Diver, 11 Common Scoter, 25 Red Breasted Mergansers, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Teal.

November 23rd 2002
Sea-watching from Ovingdean beach between 8:30 and 11:30 produced 1 Little Auk flying east close in at 10:27, 2 Black Throated Divers, 9 Red Throated Divers, 2 1st winter Little Gulls, 3 Shelduck, 10 Common Scoter, 2 Red Breasted Mergansers, 16 Gannets and 3 Auk sp.

November 22nd 2002
Sea-watching from Ovingdean beach between 15:30 and 14:15 produced 11 Little Gulls ( 3 1st winters ), 2 Red Throated Divers, 1 Red Breasted Merganser and 3 Mediterannean Gulls ( 1st win, 2nd win, Ad ).

November 20th 2002
Sea-watching from Ovingdean beach between 13:30 and 15:00 produced 7 Red Throated Divers, 28 Red Breasted Mergansers, 7 Auk sp, 7 Dunlin and 1 adult Mediterannean Gull.

November 17th 2002
Today produced just 1 heard only Jay, 2 Redwings and 1 Goldcrest with 20 Skylarks over.

November 15th 2002
Today produced a single Pheasent, a Male Blackcap, 4 Stonechats and 1 Redwing with 17 Goldfinches, 4 Skylarks and 2 Corn Buntings flying over.

November 5th 2002
Today produced only 1 Fieldfare, 15 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Chaffinches in the bushes with 15 Skylarks and 4 Corn Buntimgs flying over.

November 3rd 2002
Today produced 18 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Corn Buntings, 20 Skylarks, 5 Meadow Pipits and a Jay all flying over.

October 3rd 2002
A first for the area was seen today when a First Winter Yellow Legged Gull circled above Roedean. Also seen today were 3 Stonechats.

September 28th 2002
Today produced 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Reed Warbler in the hedges while on the fields there was a single Whinchat, about 30 Linnets and about 500 Meadow Pipits. Overhead there were 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Chaffinch, 9 Skylarks, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a few House Martins.

September 27th 2002
Today produced just 4 Chiffchaffs.

September 25th 2002
Today produced 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 male Blackcap and a juvenile Cormorant flew North East over Roedean school.

September 23rd 2002
Today there was just a single Chiffchaff and 1 Green Woodpecker on the ground with 1 Grey Wagtail over with the movement of Hirundines and Meadow Pipits still continuing.

September 22nd 2002
Today produced 12 Chiffchaffs on the ground and overhead 7 Grey Wagtails, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Chaffinches, 4 Skylarks, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Corn Bunting and the first Reed Bunting of the Autumn. The Movement of Meadow Pipits and Hirundines continued.

September 21st 2002
Today produced 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Lesser Whitethroat, while overhead there were 8 Chaffinches, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Skylarks, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipits, many Meadow Pipits and Hirundines consisting mainly of House Mratins but also a few Swallows and Sand Martins.

September 20th 2002
Nothing of note was seen today.

September 19th 2002
Today produced 13 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser whitethroat, 4 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 2 Yellow Wagtails and about 300 Meadow Pipits.

September 18th 2002
Today produced a scarce site record when an adult Mute Swan flew north up Roedean Bottom before continuing east through Woodingdean. Also today 11 Chiffchaffs, 1 male Blackcap, 2 Reed Warblers and about 400 Meadow Pipits. Overhead 20 Yellow Wagtails were seen inamongst a small movement of hirundines.

September 17th 2002
Today there were 5 Chiffchaffs and 1 Lesser Whitethroat in the bushes with about 200 Meadow Pipits in the fields and many more flying east along with 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail and about 20 Yellow Wagtails.

September 16th 2002
Todays highlight was a brief sighting of a Red Breasted Flycather, the first record for the area. It was seen in the hedge behind Roedean school and probably moved into the school grounds. Also there were 5 Chiffchaffs and 4 Willow Warblers in the bushes and about 150 Meadow Pipits in the fields with many more flying East. Also Many Swallows and House Martins still moving east.

September 15th 2002
Today produced just a single Chiffchaff and a single Wheatear on the ground but overhead passage continued with 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail and House Martins with a few Swallows and Meadow Pipits moveing East.

September 14th 2002
Today movement overhead was the main feature with many Hirundines and Meadow Pipits moveing east also 3 Tree Pipits, 9 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Chaffinches. The only grounded migrants were 2 Redstarts and a single Chiffchaff.

September 13th 2002
Today produced the first Goldcrests of the Autumn with 2 seen. Also 1 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Wheatears, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Willow Warbler. Overhead there were 7 Tree Pipits, 16 Yellow Wagtails and many Hirundines with some Meadow Pipits amongst them.

September 12th 2002
Today produced 1 Pied Flycatcher, 23 Whinchats, 14 Wheatears, 7 Chiffchaffs and 1 Willow Warbler while many Hirundines continued to move East overhead.

September 11th 2002
Today the Raven was seen again lingering in the area for 45 minutes.Today also produced 1 Turtle Dove, 6 Redstarts, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 15 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whinchats and 11 Wheatears while overhead there were 22 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails and many Hirundines.

September 5th 2002
Today produced just 3 Whinchats and 3 Wheatears.

September 3rd 2002
Today produced 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatears with 9 Yellow Wagtails flying over.

September 2nd 2002
Today produced another fist for the site when a Raven flew up Greenways Bottom over the church and landed briefly in the horse paddock. It then flew off over Mount Pleasent. Also today there was 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 Kestrels.

September 1st 2002
Today produced a further 3 Crossbills also 2 Willow Warblers, 11 Wheatears, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Reed Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers. Overhead there were 46 Yellow Wagtails and Swallows, Sand Martins, House Martins and a single Swift.

August 31st 2002
Today produce a flock of 5 Crossbills the first I have recorded at this site. Also 3 Willow Warblers, 13 Yellow Wagtails associating with the cows, and 1 Grey Wagtail over with Swallows Sand Martins and House Martins still moving west.

August 29th 2002
Today produced a Pied Flycatcher, 3 Wheatears and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

August 28th 2002
Today produced 4 Willow Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatears and 1 Reed Warbler.

August 26th 2002
Today there was just a Juvenile Turtle Dove of note with a steady trickle of House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows overhead.

August 25th 2002
Today produced just 2 Willow Warblers while overhead there was a single Yellow Wagtail and 5 Swifts with a steady trickle of House Martins and Swallows.

August 24th 2002
Today produced 10 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 11 Wheatear and 4 Whinchat. Also the first Fly over Tree Pipit of the autumn. Hirrundines were also on the move today with Mainly House Martins, some Sand Martins and the odd group of Swallows moveing west.

August 23rd 2002
Today produced a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warblers, 7 Whitethroat and 1 fly over Yellow Wagtail.

August 22nd 2002
Today produced 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Warblers, 9 Whitethroats and a Single fly over Yellow Wagtail. Also of note is the Linnet flock now umber around 140 individuals.

August 21st 2002
Today there were 3 Wheatears, 2 Reed Warblers, 4 Whitethroats and a single Chifchaff. Also a Peregrine took out one of the local Pigeons and 2 Yellow Wagtails and a single Grey Wagtail Flew over.

August 20th 2002
Today the only birds of note were 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Whitethroats and 9 Swallows overhead with the local House Martins.

August 16th 2002
Today recorded the first Wheatears of the autumn with 2 in Roedean Botom. Also preasent today 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Reed Warblers.

August 15th 2002
Today there were 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 5 Whitethroats and the first Redstart of the Autumn. Also a few Swifts filying west overhead.

August 14th 2002
Today produced just a single Willow Warbler and 1 Sand Martin overhead with the House Martins.

August 11th 2002
Today produced 27 Willow Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 4 Reed Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, a Pied Flycatcher, a Whimbrel flying south and calling continuously and a Marsh Harrier circling and gaining height over Cattle Hill unitll lost in the cloud cover.

August 9th 2002
This evening produced 7 Reed Warblers a single Juvenile Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Whitethroats and 1 Green Woodpecker.

August 4th 2002
9 Willow Warblers were present in the hedge behind Roedean school and two Green Woodpeckers fed on the roadside along Greenways Bottom. The Barn Owl again in the evening hunted over the fields in Greenways Bottom ranging as far as Beacon Hill.

August 3rd 2002
A Barn Owl spent the evening hunting over fields along Greenways Bottom.

August 1st 2002
2 Willow Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 8 Whitethroats and a Juvenile Yellowhammer.

July 27th 2002
1 Reed Warbler and 8 Whitethroats, also of note was a juvenile Green Woodpecker.

July 21st 2002
A Sandwich Tern flew South East over Greenways bottom in the evening.

July 15th 2002
An adult Mediterannean Gull over Roedean School and a Reed Warbler nearby.

July 14th 2002
A Marsh Harrier, the first recorded in the area, flew west over Cattle Hill at around 9:30. Hirundines and Swifts were on the move flying east during the morning.

May 16th 2002
Today saw 20 House Martins and 40 Swifts feeding over the rape field.

May 15th 2002
Today saw the first Spotted Flycatcher of the year, also 20 House Martins lingering and 2 Swallows over.

May 9th 2002
A Cormerant flew East over Roedean School and 6 House Martins fed over the rape field.

May 7th 2002
Today produced a flock of 28 Bar-Tailed Godwits and 1 Whimbrel flying North East over Roedean School. Also 3 Whinchats, 5 Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warblers and a single Cormorant flying East. Also of note the pair of Red Legged Partridge that have been present for the last few years increased to 3 today.

May 6th 2002
Today produced nothing of note. But at nearby Brighton Marina after a quiet morning things picked up. Highlights were 32 Pomerine Skuas including a flock of 10, 5 Arctic Skuas, 4 Black Throated Divers, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 2 Little Egrets.

May 5th 200
Today produced only 2 Stonechats, 6 Swallows and a single Swift.

May 4th 2002
Today produced only 1 Female Redstart, 1 Male Blackcap and a single Willow Warbler. Flying over were 11 Swallows. Nearby at Brighton Marina passage was almost non existant. The only bird of note being a Hobby in off the sea.

May 3rd 2002
Today the weather improved and the first Garden Warblers appeared with 2 singing birds. Also seen were 5 Whinchats, 23 Willow Warblers, 3 Wheatears and 2 Redstarts. Also flying over were 1 Tree Pipit, 6 Swifts, 11 Swallows and 12 House Martins.

May 2nd 2002
Today produced 5 Willow Warblers, 11 Whitethroats, 10 House Martins and 6 Swallows. But the rarest birds of the day were a Mistle Thrush that flew East over Cattle Hill and a Fulmer that flew West over Roedean Bottom.

May 1st 2002
Today produced the first 2 Whinchats of the year also 8 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Swallows and 1 House Martin.

April 27th 2002
Today produced the first 2 Swifts of the year but the best birds today were 2 Mistle Thrushes. Also seen today were 5 Whitethroats, 1 Swallow and 1 House Martin.

April 26th 2002
Today produced just 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 1 House Martin and a Grey Partridge.

April 25th 2002
Today produced 12 Whitethroat, 9 Willow Warblers, 3 Redstarts, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Wheatear, 1 House Martin and 3 Swallows.

April 24th 2002
Today produced 1 Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps and a single Swallow.

April 23rd 2002
2 Redstarts, both male, 2 Wheatears, 3 Willow Warblers and Whitethroats now on territory.

April 21st 2002
Today saw the first Whitethroats with 5 birds present, also 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warblers and a single Swallow.

April 20th 2002
Today produced the first Redstart with 2 Females and 1 Male also the first Blackcap. Also seen were 2 Swallows and 4 Willow Warblers.

April 19th 2002
A very quiet day with just 2 Sand Martins flying North and 1 House Martin lingering around Roedean School.

April 18th 2002
Todays highlight was a Short Eared Owl that flew in of the Sea over Brighton Marina at 8:05 and landed in the Scrub at the entrance to Roedean School. What was presumably the same Short Eared Owl was seen again at 14:15 flying North East over Cattle Hill being mobbed by Gulls and Crows. Also seen today were the first House Martins with 3 being seen, a single Swallow, 5 Willow Warblers, 1 White Wagtail and 9 Wheatears.

April 17th 2002
Today produced just 4 Willow Warblers and a Single Swallow. Overhead there was a small westerly movement of Wood Pigeons.

April 16th 2002
Today produced the first record for the area of Mallard when a pair circled Roedean bottom .They seemed to land on a swimming pool in a Roedean Garden. They had spent the previous day at Sheepcote Valley. Another scarce record today was a Fulmar, the second for the area, which flew slowly West over Roedean Bottom. Also seen today was the first Lesser Whitethroat for the year singing near the entrance to Roedean School. Also 11 Willow Warblers and 3 Swallows.

April 15th 2002
Today only managed to produce 2 Willow Warblers a single Swallow and 1 Reed Bunting.

April 14th 2002
The wind eased and swung to the South West. The birds of note today were a group of 3 Canada Geese which flew North East over Roedean School, 4 Willow Warblers and a late first Swallow of the year.

April 13th 2002
The wind continued to blow from the North East producing no birds of note.

April 12th 2002
The wind remained in the North but eased considerably today. The only bird of note was a single Willow Warbler.

April 11th 2002
The site was not visited today, but the North Easterlys continued to blow.

April 10th 2002
The North Easterly wind still dominates and still no birds of note.

April 8th 2002
The strong North Easterly winds continue to dominate and failed to produce any noteworthy birds.

April 7th 2002
Today was still dominated by a strong North Easterly wind but produced a new bird for the area when 2 Dark Bellied Brent Geese flew North through Greenways Bottom. At nearby Brighton Marina a pair of Garganey flew east and 2 Mediteranean Gulls, an adult and a 1st Winter, flew west. Also a few Grey Plovers and Bar-Tailed Godwits were on the move.

April 6th 2002
Today produced nothing of note in strong North Easterly winds.

April 5th 2002
Today produced 1 Goldcrest and 2 Wheatears and what would have been a good find was a probable Quail which flushed from short setaside on Cattle Hill but specific identification was not confirmed and the bird could not be relocated despite searching.

April 4th 2002
Today produced 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 White Wagtails a Female Sparrowhawk and a good bird for the area a Jay. Other birds of new birds today were a flock of 12 Chaffinches.

April 3rd 2002
Today produced 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Stonechats and a Yellowhammer flew East. The finch flock is also still preasent with 50+ Linnets and 30+ Goldfinches.

April 2nd 2002
Todays birds included 2 Merlins 1 at dawn resting on a fence post flew off high out to sea and a second flew north up Roedean Bottom early evening. Also seen was a single Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechats and 1 White Wagtail.

April 1st 2002
The only birds of note today were 2 Wheatears. At nearby Brighton Marina the highlights were 12 Arctic Skuas, 4 Velvet Scoters, 1 2nd year Mediteranean Gull and 4 Little Gulls.

March 31st 2002
Today produced 4 Firecrests 3 along the hedge behind Roedean School and 1 in the bushes by the Golf course. Also 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Stonechat. Overhead passage consisted of Meadow Pipits and a few Linets.

March 30th 2002
Highlight today was a Female Goshawk which flew North East over Cattle Hill at a height of approximatly 20 ft This is only the third record for the area. Another record for the area was a count of 15 Cormerants which flew East. Also seen today was 1 Peregrine which flew East and 1 Wheatear.At nearby Brighton Marina the highlights were 6 Scaup (1 Drake), 25 Velvet Scoters, 1 Avocet and the first 3 Common Terns of the year.

March 29th 2002
2 Willow Warblers today were the first this year also 2 Stonechats. At Nearby Brighton Marina A House Martin flew in off the Sea, a Short Eared Owl flew out to sea and ducks were moving East. The ducks included 38 Velvet Scoter, 1 Tufted, 17 Pintail, 70 Teal, 74 Shovelor and 10 Shelduck. Also 5 Avocets, 5 Little Gulls, 3 Mediteranean Gulls and 1 Slavonian Grebe with the Brent total for the day 354.

March 28th 2002
Today produced the best Bird so far this year with a Common Crane flying low North up Roedean Bottom.If it hadn't been harrassed so much by the local Gulls it would have probably landed.

March 26th 2002
Todays birds of interest were a Merlin flew North up Greenways Bottom and a White Wagtail was with Pied Wagtails at the entrance to Roedean School. A near miss today with an Adult un-tagged Red Kite flying in off the sea at Brighton Marina but carrying on North Up Sheecote Valley.

March 25th 2002
Today produced another first for the area with a wing tagged Red Kite which flew East only a few feet above the ground over Cattle Hill. Only other birds of note were a single Stonechat and a Yellowhammer.

March 24th 2002
Today produced 3 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, a Peregrine flew West, 4 Buzzards flew East and 2 Greylag Geese, a first for Ovingdean/Roedean flew north. At nearby Brighton Marina highlights were 8 Black Necked Grebes, 2 Long Tailed Ducks, 2 Velvet Scoters and an Avocet. Other ducks on the move included 2 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 12 Shovelor and 40 Pintail.

March 22nd 2002
Today produced a singing Firecrest, 11 Redwings and a growing flock of Linnets and Goldfinches.

March 21st 2002
Today there were 3 Wheatears, a Firecrest and 30 Redwings.

March 20th 2002
Today produced the first Black Redstart of the year with a fine Male in the School grounds. Also seen today was 1 Wheatear and 1 Redwing.

March 19th 2002
3 Firecrests present today also 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Stonechat.

March 18th 2002
Todays highlight was a pair of Firecrests. The only other migrants were 3 Goldcrest and a few Meadow Pipits.

March 17th, 2002
A Ring Ouzel was the earliest record at this site. Also seen was another Firecrest and 2 Goldcrests and a single Redwing. At nearby Brighton Marina the Black Necked Grebe was still off the West arm and a good movement of Little Gulls with 34 counted.

March 16th, 2002
Supprisingly there was nothing of note today but nearby 2 Black Necked Grebes flew East past Brighton Marina and another lingered off the West arm.

March 15th 2002
The weather was much improved today and this produced the first Wheatear with 4 being seen. Also noted were 2 Chiffchaffs and c500 Meadow Pipits 1 Redwing and 15 Robins.

March 14th 2002
Nothing of interest again today with very strong Easterly winds.

March 13th 2002
Today produced nothing of interest in strong North Easterly winds.

March 12th 2002
Today produced the first real migrant with a female Firecrest in the hedge behind Roedean School.Other birds of note were 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redwing, 2 Grey Partridges and a Dark Green Male Pheasent which has been in the area since last autumn but not seen so far this year.