End of year results

So I ended up 2017 as follows:

Selsey Peninsula year list: 187

Sussex year list: 224 (or 226 if you want to split the Bean Geese, as I saw both Tundra & Taiga, & add Pale-bellied Brent Goose).

England year list: 237 ( didn't go outside England!)

To finish off the 59 butterflies I need Scotch Argus & Chequered Skipper, so hopefully will get those in 2018...a twitchable Large Tortoiseshell would be nice in 2018 as I dipped the ones at South Stoke, 'nuff said there...

Didn't add any new UK saltwater fish species so I remain on 60 for those which is still pretty good I think!

Gulls

A decent few days for gulls with a Caspian Gull at the Cuckmere on Friday and an Iceland Gull as well as a leucistic Herring Gull at Warnham on Sunday.

Temminck's Stint

A Temminck's Stint at Pulborough has been very tricky to track down and confirm over the last few days but finally gave itself up from the Hanger viewpoint on Sunday.

The bird showed all the correct behavioural traits and plumage details (pale legs, white to the tail feathers etc.,) through the gathered 'scopes but was too distant for any sort of photograph- I may go back if it remains to try for some. A great Sussex tick for me and I was very pleased!

Barred Warbler

Somewhere in that bush is a Barred Warbler, only six feet away if that but surprisingly difficult to see! A nice Hampshire tick at Titchfield Haven today & nice to see  a couple of familiar faces too.

Black Guillemot number two!

After a morning watching Hawfinches and unsuccessfully trying to find a Sussex Parrot Crossbill I was on my way home when OM rang to tell me he'd found a Black Guillemot at Elmer rocks! I arrived to find just OM there watching the bird which had unfortunately been mobbed and had now drifted west but at least was still there and decent scope views were had of what I think is a 1st winter bird, the same as the Eastbourne one; C&ME, AH, BFF and BA all joined us and further views were had as it continued its drift. A good find for West Sussex!