Tuesday 30 August 2016

30th August, 2016 Beachy Head Clear then early mist clearing around 08.30 becoming hot and sunny E 1

We started at Birling in clear conditions but mist soon formed, clearing again after an hour or so. After the mist had cleared, bird activity was very high during the next hour and then slackened off. We covered Birling lane and scrub opposite, meeting up with RKH then onto Shooters Bottom, Old Trapping Area, Icky Ridge and Hotel Garden. We also did an hours raptor watch. LP also covered some areas on the headland chiefly from Beachy Head Hotel to Shooters Bottom.
SL also covered the Birling, Belle Tout and Shooters Bottom areas and joined us at the raptor watch.
A fall of night migrants which included a couple of interesting plumage Willow Warblers with one probably of a northern race possibly acredula. Also a Wryneck in Shooters Bottom which was probably a different bird to the one seen a week ago and 2 Pied Flycatchers. Diurnal passage included Yellow Wagtails, small numbers of hirundines, 4 Tree Pipits with an Osprey S out to sea at mid-day, with a second bird S out to sea at 13.15. also a juvenile Marsh Harrier for 20 minutes over the top fields before heading SE.
Combined totals from ourselves, LP and SL:

Marsh Harrier 1 pale headed juvenile over the top fields and then departed SE
Common Buzzard 7
Osprey 2 - 1 S went out to sea at mid-day (SL JFC DRC et al) and a second S out to at 13.15 (SL et al).
Sparrowhawk 1
Hobby 2
Kestrel 1
Wryneck 1 Shooters Bottom
Sand Martin 50 E
Swallow c200 E
Tree Pipit 4
Yellow Wagtail 52
Common Redstart 6+
Wheatear 21
Song Thrush 2
Sedge Warbler 5
Reed Warbler 5
Lesser Whitethroat 3
Common Whitethroat c50
Blackcap 1
Willow Warbler 60 (1 possible acredula race)
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Pied Flycatcher 2 Old Trapping Area
Raven 2
After 90 minutes after sun-rise the sun disappeared into the mist



 
Six Sedge Warblers were seen on the headland

Also 6 Reed Warblers were on the Headland

Common Whitethroat

Female Blackcap in Shooters Bottom

A grey and white looking adult Willow Warbler 




A larger whiter colder looking Willow Warbler showing less yellow 
than the previous bird probably of a Northern race possibly acredula

Male Redstart-at least 6 seen today



Wryneck in Shooters Bottom




 
Osprey flew S out to sea at mid-day

 


Juvenile Marsh Harrier over the top fields.

Pair of mating Migrant Hawkers on Icky Ridge

 
Clouded Yellow type for RKH