Seaford Head

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England, Sussex

Overview

A coastal headland between Seaford Town and Cuckmere Haven. With plenty of scrub, a bit of woodland, some open arable ground, some long grass habitat and some pastures. It is smaller than Beachy Head, and hence has fewer migrants, but they are often more concentrated, and show very well. A few rarities have also been seen.

Birds

Notable Species

In winter, birds are few and far between. Ravens and Peregrines may cruise along the clifftops, and a Stonechat or two may be in the gorse. In Hope Gap small flocks of Goldfinch and Long-tailed Tit rove through, along with several Jays, and there are Greater Spotted and Green Woodpecker. Come February, the Ravens and Peregrines show very well, and breeding Fulmar, Rock Pipit and Kittiwake can be seen along the clifftops. Small numbers of Brent Goose, Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter may pass along the sea.

In March, the first Wheatear generally arrive by the 15th. There are also Chiffchaff moving through, with smaller numbers of Goldcrest and Firecrest. Willow Warbler and Blackcap are first arriving by the end of the month, while overhead Chaffinch and Meadow Pipit are on the move. On the sea, Brents, Scoters and Red-throated Diver may still be seen, but perhaps most likely is a Podiceps grebe slowly drifting along the sea, most often a Great Crested Grebe. Taking the path down to the beach from Hope Gap, you are likely to come across nesting Fulmar.

In April, many days can be very poor, but migrants are on the move on good days. In early April, these are likely to include Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Goldcrest and Firecrest, with perhaps an early Sedge or Reed Warbler. Wheatear and Black Redstart are likely to be along the clifftop or on any open ground. a few Yellow Wagtail may pass overhead, as do small numbers of continental Buzzards and Red Kite, and with luck an Osprey.

During Mid April, variety starts to pick up: variety of warblers includes, on a good day, Willow, Chiffchaff, Sedge, Reed, Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Greater Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. Chats include a few Wheatears, maybe Black Redstart, and Common Redstart, especially in Hope Gap and the bushes around the coastguard cottages. Overhead there are still the same three birds of prey as mentioned before, and Yellow Wagtail, plus a few Tree Pipit may be on the move.

In late April, the British wheatears are largely replaced by birds destined for Greenland. Warblers still moving through are largely made up of Lesser and Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Willow Warbler, with a small number of the wetland-dwelling warblers too. Chats include the first Whinchat and a few late Redstart, while the first Spotted Flycatcher move through.

By May, migration is coming too a close. Spotted Flycatcher are still moving through, with a small chance of Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler. Other warblers include a small amount of Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler. Greater Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap have territories in the more woody areas by now. Overhead are likely to be Swift, with a few Sand Martin, Swallow and House Martin. May is also a good month to encounter a spring overshoot, perhaps a Woodchat Shrike or a Golden Oriole. In early May, small squadrons of Pomarine Skua may pass along the sea. Chats include a few Whinchat, and birds of prey perhaps an Osprey, Honey Buzzard, or Hobby.

Rarities

most recent first

• Serin-one flew over on 22 March 2010
• Red-breasted Flycatcher-one was present on 7 November 2009
• Barred Warbler-one was present from 21-25 September 2009
• Icterine Warbler-one was seen on 21 September 2009
• Icterine Warbler-one was seen on 18 August 2009
• Black Kite-one flew over N on 14 April 2009
• Wryneck-one present from 20-21 September 2008
• Olive-backed Pipit-one was present on 30 October 2003
• European Bee-eater-one was seen on 1 September 2002

This is an area that has been very underwatched. Autumn 2009 was the only time in recent years that almost daily sightings were logged, and in that year four fairly rare birds were found. I would expect, with more regular watching, all these birds would be seen more often, along with other spring over shoots, and more siberian/scandinavian birds in autumn.

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Red-throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Northern Fulmar, Northern Gannet, European Shag, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Brent Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Garganey, Northern Pintail, Common Eider, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Osprey, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Ruff, Common Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Common Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Arctic Skua, Great Skua, Pomarine Skua, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Black Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, European Turtle Dove, Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Sand Martin, Northern House Martin, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Common Nightingale, Common Stonechat, Whinchat, Common Redstart, Black Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Fieldfare, Redwing, Ring Ouzel, Grasshopper Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Greater Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Dartford Warbler, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, European Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Jay, Northern Raven, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Lesser Redpoll, Eurasian Siskin, European Goldfinch, Reed Bunting

Other Wildlife

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Site Information

History and Use

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Areas of Interest

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Access and Facilities

Parking: Seaford Head - Free parking along Seaford Esplanade, Hope Gap - Free parking at the top of the hill. Access via Chyngton Road, past Chyngton Farm, Cuckmere Haven - parking at the Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat along the A259 between Easbourne and Seaford.

Contact Details

To do

External Links

• check for recent sightings from Seaford Head
• blog with sightings from Seaford Head
• Seaford Head on Streetmap