Skua, Stilts, and something special after if you like

The temptation proved too much on Monday so, having dropped off middle offspring in Brighton for a university course, I just kept heading west to Selsey Bill for a long overdue Sussex tick in the shape of the long staying Long-tailed Skua. Having parked the car and walked towards Church Norton, the bird was easily located on the beach by the presence of a small group of admirers and performed well during the time I was present apparently feeding on strand line invertebrates, although it has been seen in pursuit of terns and successfully robbing them of their catch. Also seen at Selsey was a single Wheatear, Sandwich tern, and Med Gull.

From Selsey I headed back towards Chichester and stopped at the Ferry Pool to take in Sussex family Stilt who had relocated back to the peninsula from Pulborough Brooks. Both adults and their offspring were performing well feeding intermittently in the strong wind.

Also present on the Ferry Pool were several Common Sandpiper and about 20 Black-tailed Godwit.
Final stop of the day was Arundel for the "something special after" in the shape of the showiest Water Voles in Sussex to round off a cracking day out in the west. Whilst watching the voles an interesting incident occurred involving a Mute Swan cygnet which plucked one of the voles off the bank and threw it into the water.

Monday nights (11th) moth catch was disappointing, but not surprising given the blustery cool conditions, with the exception of the first Flounced Rustic of the year.
Tuesday (12th) was also very blustery however brightened up later in the day when I cycled across the levels. Single Wheatears on Hankham and Down Levels, and Buzzard on Hankham Level were the best of the birds and Small Red-eyed Damselfly were seen again on Hankham Level.