Marina to Rottingdean

 With the rain clearing and a reasonable forecast, Margie and I decided to head down to Brighton Marina and have a walk along the coast to Rottingdean. To be honest didn't have very high hopes, thought maybe we would see the  Yellow-legged Gull, that returns every year, might get a Kingfisher or a Black Redstart. As it turned out, it was much better than expected, the Gull was present, though we didn't get either the Kingfisher or the Black Redstart, sadly the East Arm was closed so we couldn't search for Purple Sandpipers either!! The highlight, with out doubt were the  Peregrines that appeared and disappeared at random throughout the walk, several Oystercatchers showed well as did the ever friendly Rock Pipits! We also found a Black Swan in the Marina, oh and Margie and I had a Shag on the rocks, like you do, pictures further down the blog!😱😱😱😮💘💓💓💓!!!

The Marina

Mute Swan

The Yellow-legged Gull, we would get better views on the return

We left the Marina, and headed along the Undercliff Walk, quite a few people and not many birds, Gulls and Oystercatchers the highlight. Also Surfers and Sailors who looked like they were having fun!

Oystercatcher

At this point we had our first encounter with the Peregrines!

Flying in with Prey

Showed alright sitting on the cliff

I was chatting to a passerby, sharing my encyclopaedic knowledge of Peregrines and their attributes, think David Attenborough only younger and more handsome,  basically took my eye off the ball so I missed the bird taking off, luckily Margie was paying attention and got a couple of shots!! I actually blame Margie for this, she's always saying I should be more sociable and as soon as I am stuff like this happens!😱

Margie's awesome pictures that I'm not jealous of them at all!

We headed on to Rottingdean 

Margie enjoyed this Gull getting caught out by a wave!

Oystercatcher having a Seafood snack

And they say you can't hear a picture!

Peregrine, regular flypasts, yes I know, not as good as Margie's flight shots!

Rock Pipit several about

Brighton

The walk back was more of the same really!

Might be a bit of Feral Pigeon in this Rock Dove😂😂😂

A variety of Peregrine food on display

Oystercatcher

Little Egret

Rock Pipit

Another Peregrine flypast and this time we saw it land

I managed to spot the Peregrine high on the cliff, there was the usual anxiety as I almost ran to get closer,😢😲 especially when a Gull buzzed it, but luckily it sat firm and we got magnificent views of this King amongst birds!!

What a bird! Sadly for the sake of my Battery and Margie's sanity we dragged ourselves away and left it sitting in all it's glory!! Master of all it surveys!

As we headed back to the Marina, I realised that a Cormorant sat on rocks was actually a Shag! Which showed nicely. 

A very tame Herring Gull

Grey Heron

Kestrel, appeared briefly above the cliff

Great Black-backed Gull

Shag, I dazzled Margie explaining the difference between Shag and Cormorant, even accessing the Collins app to confirm this as a Shag, she was well impressed even yawning in appreciation!!

We headed back into the Marina, where the Yellow-legged Gull had relocated to it's  usual boat where it showed well! I was gonna get the Collins app out again, but Margie assured me she didn't need to know the subtle differences between this and a Herring Gull as she could see the Legs!! Denied!!😂

Yellow-legged Gull

Cormorant

The final sighting of the walk was a Black Swan that was loafing among the boats.

Black Swan

So, much better than I expected, glorious weather, lucky not to get Sunburn!! Possibly the most cooperative Peregrine I've ever seen, no doubt the large amount of people it sees, makes it less nervous and also the fact it's sat 60 foot up!!!  Very enjoyable walk!