The Sussex Bird Report 2012

The Sussex Bird Report for 2012 has just been published by the Sussex Ornithological Society. This comprehensive survey contains 272 pages and is a chronological summary of the year's weather and the birding highlights including all interesting and unusual records. A total of 271 species was seen in the county during 2012 which is 11 more than in 2011.

The county's first Hooded Merganser, which remained in Pagham Harbour for over two weeks from late October, was probably the highlight of the year for many observers and attracted visitors from many parts of the country.

Other scarce birds that were seen during the year included a Paddyfield Warbler, a Kentish Plover, five Bee-eaters and a Red-footed Falcon.

Less scarce, but no less welcome, were the numbers of Eurasian Bitterns, Great White Egrets and Glossy Ibises seen throughout the county, the unprecedented movements of Great and Arctic Skuas in April, White Storks which toured around in May and June and the number of singing Wood Warblers recorded in the spring.