BIRLING GAP
Scan for seabirds and waders on passage through the Channel
Birling Gap is situated on the western flank of the spectacular Seven Sisters, part of the South Downs National Park. It is the ideal location to attract incoming migrants and over-shooting rarities such as Serin, Hoopoe, Bee-eater and Black Kite. A spring seawatch from Birling Gap can be productive. Early on, passage wildfowl include large skeins of Brent Geese, followed by a steady stream of seabirds and waders. Given a southeasterly in late April/early May south coast gems such as Black-throated Diver, Roseate Tern and the iconic Pomarine Skua are likely. PAUL TRODD
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Seawatch from the lower cliff in front of the beach huts in spring. Early migrants over the sea coming up-Channel from the south-west typically comprise parties of Red-throated Divers and Sandwich Terns, flocks of Gannets, auks, Common Scoters and Brent Geese, plus Fulmar, Kittiwake, Wigeon, Red-breasted Merganser and a chance of Velvet Scoter, Eider, Pintail and Garganey. Spring waders include mainly Whimbrels and Bar-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Knot and Grey Plover, plus Common and Arctic Terns along with Arctic and Great Skuas and variable numbers of Manx Shearwaters, Little Gulls and Black Terns later on in the season.
2 Open downland and fields often produce grounded Wheatear, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Yellow and Pied Wagtails, plus passing Turtle Dove, Tree Pipit, hirundines, Swift and Hobby overhead. Scan fence posts for a chance of Cuckoo and Whinchat along with passage raptors such as Red Kite, Osprey, Honey Buzzard and Marsh Harrier.
3 The gully scrub west of the lighthouse known as Shooter’s Bottom attracts passage migrants; typically, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroats, along with a chance of Whinchat, Firecrest, Redstart and Black Redstart, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, plus the usual common tits and finches. The cliffs host Peregrine, Raven, Fulmar, Rock Pipit, Wheatear and Black Redstart.
4 The small cliff-top woodland at Belle Tout is a notable migrant trap and worth checking for passerines. Scarcities such as Ring Ouzel, Grasshopper Warbler, Nightingale and Wood Warbler often occur here among the commoner spring warblers, chats and flycatchers.