After the gloom of yesterday, the weather changed again and the skies were bright, blue and inviting. Out in the garden this morning a sparrowhawk was circling.
The weather held good until after lunch, and I debated whether to go searching for kestrels on the Downs or to head for the sea and the visiting fulmars. The sea birds won out, and I made my way to Rottingdean Beach. 
Rottingdean Beach
The tide was out, and the gulls were gathered in small mixed flocks.
A pair of black-backed gulls flew over, and a lone curlew came in to the shore.
There were also a few oystercatchers and plovers about, but the stars of Rottingdean at the moment are the fulmars which skim the cliff tops…
Perch in hollows…
Squabble noisily among themselves…
And patrol their territory with impressive dedication…
There are several more shots in the Fulmar album. As for the fox, I spent the best part of an hour watching for him this evening, and caught a glimpse as he stood at the rear of the garden. He stayed in the shadows though, so once again there's no photo. But I'm in for the long game… and hoping for some slightly warmer nights. I have my limits when the temperature drops to around freezing and the pond ices over.
Camera note: all shots were taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
Flying Red Fox Blog
8 Feb 2009Lovelly photos. 😀 I should visit Pagham nature reserve one day, it has loads of birds apparently……. feathered ones i hope! 😆
gdare
8 Feb 2009They are yelling at each other like all "good" neighbours 😆
SittingFox
8 Feb 2009The fulmars are great, but I love the detail on the sparrowhawk picture too 🙂
Good luck with the fox.
cakkleberrylane
9 Feb 2009Wonderful series of shots!
Words
9 Feb 2009Thanks Darko. They seem quite 'social' birds.
Words
9 Feb 2009Thanks Mark. Pagham does look worth a visit (I just googled).
Words
9 Feb 2009Thanks Lois! It's a good spot to visit as you are more or less guaranteed something worth photographing.
Words
9 Feb 2009Adele, thanks. The sparrowhawk was a bit far off, but I like seeing them and live in hope of it coming in to land in the garden (it's happened twice before, but one day I'll capture the moment).
Ukwildlife
9 Feb 2009Great photos as ever words. How do you get those sparrowhawk pics, Then gone before I can hold up my camera when I see them!
Words
9 Feb 2009Neil, thanks. The local gulls tend to give me a warning. I don't always get it right, but often enough when they start flocking in a loose 'on watch' way, I look up and a sparrowhawk is cruising by. If it comes close enough I get some shots.
annoushkiss
20 Feb 2009It's always a pleasure to see you pictures of birds, Words :up: I've never had a chance to see them in such a detail. Thanks for sharing 😀
Words
20 Feb 2009You're very welcome. 🙂