Black Guillemot

Whilst we were photographing the Parrot Crossbills last weeek we were both wondering if the juvenile Black Guillemot that was residing in Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne would hang around long enough for us to get a Sussex tick. Well the upshot was that it was reported yesterday, so today's venue was a no-brainer. We arrived at the harbour entrance but couldn't find the bird so we started a circumnavigation of the inner harbour. Although I am of advancing years my eyesight is still pretty good, how we walked by such an obliging bird I'll never know, good job that I was making an occasional glance behind me. There it was, as bold as brass amongst the pontoons and only yards away.  Same old routine - get some record shots and then try to improve the capture.

The bird seems to be in good health and is not going short of food as there is an abundance of small fish available. In fact as we watched it managed to catch a Pipe fish and entertained us trying to get it down its throat.

Having recorded the bird satisfactorily we headed off for Norman's Bay and a reported Snow Bunting. Not hard to find for as we arrived six birders were in attendance, most of them with cameras. Nice to meet David Gardiner and Bob Eade. I couldn't raise much enthusiasm for the bunting so snapped it perfunctorily, noting that it looked a tad damp and dishevelled so wasn't the ideal subject.

Finally a visit to Warnham failed to give any more photographs but it was good to see the improvements made to the site - cracking new and very comfortable hide overlooking the lake.