the bittern was still present at shinewater and a lapland bunting flew over.

top billing today were 5 very confiding jack snipes in a ditch at shinewater. also present was a bittern seen twice in flight and a single fly over waxwing. in freezing conditions it was no surprise to see 10 water rails in the area. arlington is frozen over if anyone is thinking of going there.

started off at arlington this morning where a yellow legged gull was seen. next stop was shinewater where 3 drake goosanders, 4+ bearded tits (at least 2 pairs), 2 yellow leggeds gulls, scan herring gull and an adult caspian gull were found. not feeling very enthusiastic, we finally ended up on pevensey levels. 3 bewicks swan flew into the levels and gave very good views before flying off. we then got news of a white tailed eagle at amberley and within the hour were on site. views were always distant but the bird was seen a few times in flight. a sussex tick for everyone.

a nice surprise at arlington this morning was a black throated diver.

yday: 2362 skylarks and 556 lapwings flew west at sea off brighton marina between dawn and 8.20. i did manage to return later in the afternoon but with only 138 skylarks in a hour it was rathar boring and headed home.

21 goosanders (but only 2 bloody males) flew west off Brighton marina and a pom skua paused briefly around the pier and directly over the beach.