23 October, 2019 Beachy Head Overcast, cool, E 2 increasing to 4

We were joined on the Headland by the following observers: SL, JG, KH, RKH, RES, LP, RAB and virtually all the Headland sites were covered from Holywell to Michael Dene. RE and MB were ringing in Whitbread Hollow. Again many apologies for any initials omitted.
Highlights included a fall of 15 Black Redstarts, and 100 Goldcrests, although another large overhead  passage which included 2 Woodlarks, 20 Fieldfares, and hundreds of both Stock Doves and Wood Pigeons and Finches. Birders in three separate sites were recording this passage during the morning, and in order to avoid double counting, I have tended to use the maximum count of the main species moving by the individual observers. The main disadvantage is that the separate observers are watching at different sites and therefore it is difficult to assess what are the same birds.
Combined totals:

Sparrow Hawk 2 Headland
Kestrel 1 Headland
Merlin 1 male Hotel Garden (RKH, RES)
Peregrine 3 Headland
Mediterranean Gull 1 ad off Birling
Stock Dove c450 E
Wood Pigeon c3,000 E
Tawny Owl 3 Hollow
Green Woodpecker 2
Great-spotted Woodpecker 3 (1 Hollow, 2 Birling)
Woodlark 2 E over Shooters Bottom @ 10.55 (JFC,KH,RKH,RES)
Skylark 38 moving over Headland.
Swallow 20 Headland
House Martin 15 Headland
Meadow Pipit 150 chiefly W
Grey Wagtail 1 over Headland
Alba/Pied Wagtail 54 over Headland
Black Redstart 15 (4 Birling lane, 2 Michael Dene, 1 Radio Mast bushes, 1 Icky Ridge, 1 Shooters Bottom, 2 Old Trapping Area (1 of which moved off E), 4 B/T lighthouse.
Wheatear 1 B/T area
Ring Ouzel 4 (1 Old Trapping Area 3+ Shooters Bottom)
Mistle Thrush 1 W over Went Hill
Blackbird 35 (20 Hollow, 15 Headland)
Fieldfare 20 Headland
Song Thrush 7
Blackcap 1 Hollow
Chiffchiaff c50 (25 Hollow, c25 Headland)
Goldcrest 100 (50 Hollow, 50 Headland)
Firecrest 5 (1 Hollow, 4 Headland)
Great Tit c30 (several parties moving across the Headland)
Coal Tit 2 both i/d as the English race (1 Holywell, 1 Old Trapping Area) (RAB)
Jay 1 Hollow
Chaffinch c50 overhead movement
Greenfinch 12 overhead movement
Goldfinch c1,500 E (Over 1,000 recorded at each of the three different sites)
Siskin 11 overhead movement
Linnet c200 E
Reed Bunting 7 Headland

Its that time of the year again when the Wood Pigeons move.

 

 15 Black Redstarts were logged today.

 

Male Great-spotted Woodpecker at Birling

 Ring Ouzel showing well in Shooters Bottom.