26 August, 2016 Beachy Head Very early morning rain followed by overcast becoming sunny and hot Wind variable 0-1

The early morning rain gave us hope of a decent fall of migrants but surprisingly migrant numbers were on the low side compared with recent days. Met up with RK and covered the usual birding sites with the exception of Belle Tout wood. RE was ringing in Whitbread Hollow and we also met up with SL at Birling who picked out a distant ring-tailed harrier heading east. Both Doreen and Ron picked it up but I failed miserably. Several other birders were also seen. Diurnal migration was virtually non-existence which was a surprise after the good numbers of hirundines moving during the last two days.
Combined totals:

Ring-tailed Harrier Sp 1 E over Birling @ approx. 08.30 (SL, DRC, RK)
Sparrowhawk 1
Common Buzzard 2
Merlin 1(per SL)
Peregrine 2
Turnstone 1 over the Headland
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Swallow c50
Rock Pipit 1
Yellow Wagtail 20
Pied Wagtail 7
Common Redstart 2
Whinchat 1
Wheatear 15
Cetti's Warbler still present in the Hollow (per RE)
Sedge Warbler 2
Reed Warbler 2
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Common Whitethroat 41
Garden Warbler 1
Blackcap 1
Chiffchaff 3
Willow Warbler 40 (20 Hollow and 20 Headland)

Clouded Yellow 8
Autumn Ladies Tresses Approx 500 Birling gardens + 67 above Birling pine copse.

Yellow Wagtail at Birling

Sparrowhawk flushed out of the Old Trapping Area

Six Wheatears flew over the Hotel Garden