Beachy Head and the Pevensey Levels 15/02/17

Today I went down to a windswept Beachy Head, where there was not much around. There were at least four pairs of singing Skylarks around the visitor centre, where my trip was mostly based. The other common birds were a pair of Pied Wagtails on the roof of the buildings, and a few Meadow Pipits that flew over. Of course there were several gulls milling around, mostly Herring Gulls, but I picked out at least one each of Common, Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed Gulls amongst them. The most exciting bird on Beachy Head was, however, a single Twite (local rarity) that was flying around the rough grassland next to the public footpath. It was calling distinctly, and giving good views. Leaving Beachy Head after it had vanished, I made my way to Horse Eye Levels, on the Pevensey Levels, not too far away. It was getting on for late evening by then, but I located a single Bewick's Swan amongst the numerous Mute Swans, and later I saw a Merlin hunting low over. At first it was quite distant, and I had hopes of Hen Harrier or Short-eared Owl, but it was neither. Still, the Merlin was lovely to watch, albeit for a brief period.