Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.10

Will now summarise the Skuas, but please bear in mind that we were away from the end of April to mid May and therefore missed the majority of the Spring Skua passage, and no details were logged during this period.

ARCTIC SKUA


2011: Spring sea-watches: Recorded on 23 dates from 29/3 (3 E) to the 18/6 (3E). In total 114 birds recorded chiefly moving E with daily maximums of 16 E on the 18/4 & 20 E on the 19/4. On the 23/7 a 2^nd S. bird with heavily barred under-wings was lingering of Birling. Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates between 13/8 (7) and 24/10 (1), with a total of 38 birds recorded of which 11 W and 25 E. and 2 on the sea. Per B.H.Log

(An average year, during the last decade an average of just over 100 per Spring were logged, a slightly better Autumn than in recent years).

GREAT SKUA

2011: Winter: 4/1 1 E, 8/1 1 E, 27/1 1 lingering off Birling.

Spring Sea-watches: Recorded on 11 dates from 2/4 (3 E) to 8/5 (1 E) when a total of 20 birds moved E.

Summer: 18/6 6 E & 2/7 1 E (appeared in good adult plumage).

Autumn: An exceptional Autumn: 17/9 (2), 9/10 (52 E), 10/10 (61 E), 11/10 (6 E), 22/10 (4), 23/10 (1 E), & 24/10 (1 E). Per B.H.Log

(Spring was unexceptional compared with recent years, although in the 1960's and early 70's it was far scarcer. We are now recording the odd birds during the winter months, and in the middle of the summer.

The Autumn numbers are completely unprecedented and are probably the highest daily counts ever for Sussex in either Spring or Autumn).

POMARINE SKUA

2011: Spring sea-watch Recorded as follows: 17/4 2 E, 19/4 1 E, 21/4 2 E (including 1 juv.), 22/4 1 E, 2/5 12 (9E & 3W), 3/5 15E, 4/5 6E, 6/5 5E, 7/5 12 E, 29/5 1 E. In total 54 E & 3W during the Spring sea-watches. Also 23/10 1 E (A very dark juvenile JFC )

(JFC & DC were away on holiday from the end of April to mid May and therefore missed the best time for this species). 

Second Autumn running a very dark immature has been recorded off Birling. These dark almost black types are in fact the commonest type of immature Pomarine Skua, the previous Autumn juv. Pom was seen in 1997 on Cow Gap beach). 

30th December, 2011.Beachy Head. Overcast W2

DC did an hour's sea-watch from 08.45-09.45 and then covered Belle Tout area and walked the rough field:

Red Throated Diver 6
Great Crested Grebe 1 E
Great White Egret 1 W @ 9.05 (Our 3rd record for Beachy)
Common Scoter 19 (15 on the sea)
Red Breasted Merganser 1 W
Razorbill 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark 50
Rock Pipit 2
Mistle Thrush 1
Goldcrest 1
Raven 2

28th December, 2011 Beachy Head Overcast SW4

Sea-watched from 08.30-10.30:

Red Throated Diver 20 (18 E & 2W).
Great Crested Grebe 1 on sea
Gannet 12E & 39 W
Fulmar 21E & 9 W
Common Scoter 1 W & 15 on the sea.
Wigeon 23 E & 64 W
Kittiwake 22 E
Med. Gull 2 (1 E & 1W)
Sandwich Tern 1 E @ 09.40. (our first December record).
Auk Sp. 1E
Guillemot 2E & 1W
Razorbill 5 E

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.9

I will now summarise some of the more regular Waders logged during the year:

LAPWING
2011: 4/6 2 in the field opposite Belle Tout wood, an unusual date. 6/11 42 arrived in off the sea, 19/11 & 17/12 1 in the rough field opposite Belle Tout wood. Per B.H.Log

(The 42 seen coming in on the 6/11 occurred with several Golden Plover arriving also a Great Grey Shrike, and both Snow and Lapland Buntings. In recent years, numbers of Lapwings have been scarce, but in the 1960's-70's they were far commoner on the Headland during the Autumn with sometimes flocks of up-to 800 have been logged).

RINGED PLOVER

2011: 4E on the 2/5 and a single bird W on the 17/9. Per B.H.Log

(It is strange just how few Ringed Plovers are now recorded on the sea-watches etc. especially with the Cuckmere Haven just to the West, and this probably reflects how the breeding population has suffered in the last 20 years. Since 2007, just 8 birds have been logged, while in the 1970's 10 sightings in a year was not unusual).

WOODCOCK

2011: 8/11 1 in Whitbread Hollow. Per B.H.Log

(Woodcock are not recorded annually and Whitbread Hollow is the main site).

WHIMBREL

2011: Spring sea-watches: Recorded on 12 dates from 19/3 (1 E) to the 8/5 (2E). In total 661 moved E with daily maximums of 14/4 110 E, 19/4 103 E. During the Summer 4 W on the 19/6 & 4 W on the 9/7. Also 29/7 1 calling over Whitbread Hollow & 7/8 1 W. Per B.H.Log

(The 19/3 is our earliest Spring date with our previous earliest was the 25/3/06. An excellent Spring and our best for a number of years. Our best Spring to date was in 1976 when 960 were logged including an impressive movement of 488 on the 19/4).

BAR-TAILED GODWIT

2011: Recorded from the 17/4 to 9/5 . In total 1,035 were recorded moving E. with a daily maximum of 507 E on the 2/5.  Per B.H.Log

(In the last 10 years or so, very poor numbers have been logged during the Spring sea-watches but back in the 70's several thousand were logged annually on the Spring sea-watches and in 1962 a spectacular movement  on the 27 & 28/4  when  combined totals of approx.10,000 moved East past Cow Gap).

GREEN SANDPIPER
2011: 20/8 Two moved over the Headland. Per B.H.Log

(Only our second record this Century although back in the 1960's, when we were camping in the Hollow, they were virtually annual with birds heard calling during the night. On two occasions parties of 5 have been flushed from the dew ponds on the Head).

GREENSHANK

2011: 22/4 2 over Birling & 2/9 1 going over the Headland. Per B.H.Log

(Our first records since 2007).

KNOT

2011: Recorded on 4 dates during early May with 63E on the 2/5, 16E on the 4/5, 3E on the 5/5 & 2E on the 7/5 PerB.H.Log

(Surprising our first records since 2006. In 1990, 428 were recorded during May).

AVOCET

2011: Just three records with 1 E on the 17/4, 2 E on the 18/4 & 1E on the 2/5. Per B.H.Log

(A poor Spring although they are not recorded annually).

STONE CURLEW

2011: A single bird was flushed from the rough field opposite Belle Tout wood on the 25/4 and departed E. (D.Cooper & B. Kay). Per B.H.Log

(Our 14^th record since 1960, although 7 of these were seen in the 1960’s and this is our first record since 2005).

GREY PHALAROPE

2011: On the 24/10 1 past Birling moving E and then returned W close in. (J.F.Cooper, Mrs D.R.Cooper & P. Netherway). Per B.H.Log

(Our first record for the Headland since regular watching commenced in 1960, and lets hope Red Necked Phalarope follows in the near future).

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.8

RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE

2011: Recorded on and off throughout the year with a pair present on several dates during the Spring but during the Autumn only a single bird recorded on 9 dates. No sign of local breeding Per B.H.Log 

(Our area has never held more than 2-3 breeding pairs and Long Down is often a favorite site and this site is very rarely visited).

QUAIL

2011: At least 1 bird calling from the grassy field between Belle Tout & Hodcombe.(PN & MN)

On the 9/7 1 was flushed from the rough field opposite Belle Tout wood, (DC & BK) and on the 21/8 1 was flushed from the Cliff Path (RJF & JK). Per B.H.Log

(At least 3 different individuals recorded, 2 of which were flushed. Slightly above average year).

PHEASANT

2011: On the 2/1 18 were flushed from the rough field opposite Belle Tout wood. Young were seen to the West of Belle Tout wood during the breeding season. Up to 8 were present in the Belle Tout area in December. Per B.H.Log

GOLDEN PHEASANT

An intriguing report taken from the Sussex Bird Report for 2010:

2010: 29/8 A single bird unsexed was reported from the woods above and west of Birling Gap, but no other details known.  Per Sx. B.R No.63.

(If correct, one assumes it has been locally released).

Beachy Head 23rd December, 2011 Overcast SW4.

Sea-watch 08.15-09.15:
Red Throated Diver 2 (1 E & 1 W)
Gannet 150 E
Brent Geese 6 E
Common Scoter 21 (3 E & 18 on the sea)
Red Breasted Merganser 1 W
Auk Sp. 6 E

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.7

To continue with the annual summaries and I will now deal with the Raptors


COMMON BUZZARD

2011: Spring: Recorded on 7 dates from 27/2 (2 soaring over the Cattle Fields), to 25/4 (1). Just 8 birds involved. Summer: 2/7 1 near Birling, which may suggest local breeding in Friston forest. Autumn: Recorded on just 5 dates from 27/8 to 15/9 involving 7 birds. Per B.H.Log

(No repeat of the exceptional Autumn of last year when 10 were recorded on a single day).

SPARROW HAWK

2011: 3/1 1, Spring: Recorded on 8 dates mainly singles but 2 on the 25/4. Breeding: probably took place in the Holywell/Whitbread Hollow area. Autumn: Recorded virtually throughout the Autumn, with daily maximums of 4 on several dates. Per B.H.Log

(There were none seem arriving in from the sea or leaving out to to sea, and no real noticeable mid-September passage).

RED KITE

2011: An exceptional year and I have listed all the sightings which I know about:

8 Mar 1 S from East Dean, then soared above the cliffs gaining height before heading out to sea S @ 12.40. JFC DRC PN MN

26 Mar 1 over Cow Gap drifted off E. RDME

27 Mar 1 Over Birling & drifted off NE. DC & BK

5 Apr 1 seen from Hodcombe RHC

6 Apr 2 seen from Hodcombe RHC

7 Apr Up to 12 seen from Hodcombe with 8 in the air together. RHC.

8 Apr 2 In field E of Chat Vale & then drifted off E. RDME, JFC, DRC, RHC.

11 April 1 drifted W over Top fields. JFC, DRC, RKH, RHC

17 Apr 1 over the Old Trapping Area PN & MN

24 Apr 4 in air together opposite Shooters Bottom DC. Et al

25 Apr 3 including 1 leucistic individual DC & RHC

19 June 1 flew over Hodcombe & headed off E RHC

27 Aug 1 over the Top Fields RHC

Per B.H.Log

(Needless to say, by far our best year ever, and I wonder if this will now become an annual event, with the good numbers now breeding in Southern England. From 1960 to 1990, just 6 were recorded at Beachy, in the 1990's a further 5 were recorded, when the first wing-tabbed birds were seen. A further 8 were recorded between 2000 to 2010. Thirty were logged this year not allowing for duplications, and this now bring our total since 1960 to 49).

HONEY BUZZARD

2011: An average year: 27/8 3 over the Top Fields (with 1 seen by RHC & 2 others photographed. ME, JFK,GG) & 10/9 1 over Shooters Bottom went out to sea and was photographed by R. Izzard. Per B.H.Log

MARSH HARRIER

2011: Just recorded on three dates as follows: 10/5 1 arrived in off the sea opposite the Hotel Garden, 21/8 1 over the Top Fields, & 15/9 1 over the Headland. Per B.H.Log

(A disappointing year, with just two seen during the Autumn, although we have had some blank years in the past).

OSPREY

2011: 8/9 1 off Birling Gap (RHC) & 10/9 1 S went out to sea from Belle Tout (GG & SL). RHC also had a further 2 birds but full details not know. Per B.H.Log

(An above average year with 4 sightings, and our best year since 2000 when 6-7 birds were seen in association with the Honey Buzzard influx).

HOBBY

2011: An average sort of year: None logged during the Spring. Autumn; Recorded on just 8 dates from 29/8 to 9/10, mainly singles but with 2 on 3/4 dates. Per B.H.Log

PEREGRINE

2011: Recorded throughout the year mainly at their usual breeding sites, with the maximum logged on any one day was 4. Breeding still around 3 pairs and a number of juvenile birds were seen on the Headland during the Autumn. Per B.H.Log

MERLIN

2011:None logged during the Spring. Autumn. Singles recorded on 12 dates from the 1/9 to 19/11. Per B.H.Log

KESTREL

2011: Jan-Feb: Singles seen on 3 dates, Spring: Singles recorded on just 7 dates.

On the 9/3 1 bird arrived in off the sea.

Odd birds recorded on 5 dates in July, but breeding not suspected. Autumn: Frequently recorded throughout the Autumn but mainly related to 2 juvenile type birds around the Top Fields. The maximum seen on a single day during the Autumn was just 3. On the 10/10 1 was seen to arrive in off the sea. Per B.H.Log

(A poor year with no noticeable influx recorded in mid-September. In the late 1960’s it was considered that the area held 3 breeding pairs).

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.6

GREYLAG GOOSE

2011: Winter: 9/2 5 E with Brents, Spring Sea-watches: Recorded on just three dates 25/3 1 E, 4/4 2 E, 9/4 2 E. Autumn: 13/11 2 high E out to sea. Birds seen on the 9/2 & 13/11 may have been genuine migrants. Per B.H.Log.

(Always difficult to judge if birds seen off Beachy are of local origin or genuine migrants. Ringing recoveries have shown that local orgin birds are very sedentary, although there is a large wintering population in Southern Spain from Scandivinian and Iceland, and some birds seen moving past Beachy could relate to migrants on the move, although large numbers have never been recorded past Beachy and they are not annually recorded.)

DARK BELLIED BRENT GOOSE

2011: Jan & Feb: A total of 887 moved East on 10 dates with a daily maximum of 701 East on the 9/2. Spring sea-watches: A total of 1,899 were recorded moving East on 16 dates from 6/3 to 20/4. Daily Maximums of 492 on the 26/3. Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates with 623 moved W between the 17/9 (27 W) to 26/11 with the daily maximum of 415 W on the 9/10. On the 8/3 a leucistic bird was seen in a party of Brents.  Per B.H.Log.

(Generally a poor year, although in some years Brents can move in large numbers during the early Spring when sea-watching is not so intense. Our last good year was in 2006, when a total of 8,507 birds were logged moving East during the Spring. During the 1960’s & early 70’s far smaller numbers were recorded, as the wintering population in the West was far less, than it is now).

EGYPTIAN GOOSE

 2011: 3/1 1 W at 08.40, was first seen way out off Birling, it then flew towards us, before departing West still out to sea J.F.Cooper & D.Cooper. This is just our 2^nd record for Beachy with the first being in 2006, and generally reflects the small increase in numbers now being recorded in Sussex.

(On the 17/4, 1 a long way out to sea, was considered to be either an Egyptian Goose or a Ruddy Shelduck, but was just to far out to be certain J.F.Cooper & D.Cooper).

MUTE SWAN

2011: 8 E on the 6/5 Per B.H.Log

 (Our largest daily total to date).

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.5

I will now cover the more interesting Ducks from the Beachy perspective.


GARGANEY
2011: Spring Sea-watches: Just recorded on two dates : 17/4 6 E (including 2 drakes), & 18/4 a pair E. An average year Per B.H.Log


SHOVELER
 2011: Spring sea-watches: Recorded on 15 dates from 12 Mar (5 E)  to 5/5 (2E). In total 152 moved East with daily maximum of 66 E on the 2/4. Per B.H.Log
 (A slightly above average Spring although doesn't compete with 2004 when a total of 430 were logged including 275 E on the 1st March).


POCHARD
2/4 2 E Per B.H.Log

(Pochard are a fairly unusual sight on the Spring sea-watches.and this is just our nineteenth sighting since 1960 with the majority in the Spring, although 10 were tracked moving East past Worthing, Brighton and Beachy Head on the early date of the 22/2/03).

GOLDENEYE

2011: 13/3 3W close in off Birling. Per B.H.Log

(Another scarce duck which is rarely seen on our Spring sea-watches. This is now our 16th record since 1960, with 4 of these records were in November and never more than 3 on a day have been logged).

VELVET SCOTER

2011: Spring Sea-watches: Recorded on 8 dates between 25/3 (7 E) and 22/4 (9 E). In total 86 birds moved E with a daily maximum of 27 E on the 22/4 & 21 E on the 19/4. Per B.H.Log

(An excellent year and one of our best to date although in 1984 a total of 172 moved East with a daily maximum of 64 on the 1st May).

COMMON SCOTER

2011: Jan-Feb: Just odd birds recorded on 6 dates. Spring sea-watches: Recorded from 7/3 to 18/6. (No records from the end of Apr to mid May due to holidays)

In total 7,094 moved East with daily maximums of 1,695 on the 2/4, & 1,516 on the 19/4. Our best Spring since 2005. Autumn: Recorded on 20 dates between 2/7 (4 E) and 30/12 (with 15 on the sea. Since the 8/11 up to 20 have been logged on the sea off Beachy and there may be a small winter flock now off Birling). Autumn daily maximum was of a single flock of 50 W on the 13/8. Per B.H.Log

(Although a good year, these numbers are comparatively small when compared with the 1960's & 70's for example in 1979 a total of 19,319 moved E with a daily maximum of 13,293 East on the 8/4. We must have had larger note-books in those days!!).

EIDER

2011: Spring sea-watches: Recorded on 5 dates from 8/3 (4 drakes E) to 24/4 (8 on the sea). In total 43 birds recorded mostly moving E with daily maximums of 14 E on the 2/4 & 11 E on the 17/4. Per B.H.Log

(Variable numbers of Eiders are seen on the Spring sea-watches, although generally speaking in recent years numbers have been smaller than in our earlier years of sea-watching off Beachy, for example in 1982, a total of 202 moved East during the Spring with a daily maximum of 65 on the 5/5).

RED BREASTED MERGANSER

2011: Jan-Feb – 3 E on the 3/1 & the 8/2. Spring Sea-watches: Recorded on 15 dates from 12/3 (4 E) to the 28/5 (1 W). In total 90 moved E with the daily maximum of 27 E on the 2/4. On the 9/10 11 moved W., with 1 W on the 23/12 & 30/12. Per B.H.Log

(Like many of our sea-ducks, smaller numbers are now recorded moving East on our sea-watches compared to numbers seen in our earlier years. The intense sea-watching carried out in our earlier years by MJR et al may be an influence although a lot of the sea-ducks move during April when during these early years most of the sea-watching was carried out towards the end of April into May. In 1971, a total of 560 were logged moving East during the Spring).

GOOSANDER

2011: 1/1 3 redheads ( 2 W and then back E with 1W), 8/2 1 redhead landed on a tidal pool on the beach for 5 minutes before departing E. 10/10 1 redhead W very close in almost over the Beach, is our earliest Autumn record to date, although not the earliest for Sussex. Per B.H.Log

(We have now recorded 12 sightings since 1960, our the first sighting was in 1970, and we have now recorded 9 during the Spring and 3 during the Autumn).

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.4

LITTLE EGRET

2011: Spring: Just seen on three dates with 1 E a long way out to sea on the 14/4 and may have been a new migrant, 2E on the 7/5 and 2 W on the 29/5. Summer: Just seen on the 3/7 with 1 W.  Autumn: Recorded on 17 dates from 2/9 with 5 E off Birling to the 26/11 with 2, but never more than 5 on a day. Last seen 1 on the beach at Cow Gap on the 10/12. Per B.H.Log.

(Our first record occurred in 1991, but only odd birds were seen during the next few years, and it was not seen annually until 2004. Our best years to date were 2005 & 2006 when double figure counts were made on the beaches off Cow Gap & Birling Gap. Occasionally, as like this year on the 14/4, probable genuine migrants/arrivals, are seen on the sea-watches passing the Head a long way out to sea. With the huge numbers of our song birds/migrants which have decreased since 1960, the Little Egret is without doubt a great addition to our area).

GREAT WHITE EGRET

2011: One West off Birling  on the 30/12 (D.Cooper)

This is now our 3^rd record for Beachy. Per B.H.Log.

GREY HERON

2011: Spring: Recorded on 8 dates from 6/3 (1 moved SE), to the 23/4. Maximum of 3 on the 20/4. Summer: 1 off Birling on the 11/6 & 1 W on the 23/7. Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates from the 25/9 when a party of 12 flew high South out to sea from the Seven Sisters, to the 16/11 with 1 on the beach at Holywell. On the 15/10, a further 4 moved South again out to sea before veering of West. On the 27/10, 4 headed high over the Top Fields with another 1 on the 28/10. Per B.H.Log.

(The flock of 12 which flew South out to sea on the 25/9 was an imprssive sight but not unprecedented, as in 1988 a party of 33 flew in formation West on the 1^st October).

GLOSSY IBIS

2011: On the 31/10. 1 came flying East over the Downs at Belle Tout wood, and then veared South being mobbed by a Raven @ 07.50. JFC, DRC, RDME. Per B.H.Log.

(One had been seen on Horse Eye Levels the previous two days which was probably the same individual. A new species for our Beachy Head list since regular watching commenced in 1960 and still considered a good rarity in Sussex).

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.3

SHEARWATERS

MANX SHEARWATER

2011: Spring Sea-watches: Singles were recorded on 5 dates from 21/4 (1 E) to 29/5 (1E), with 3 E on the 4/5. Summer: 18/6 13 were recorded with 6 E & 7 W. with 12 recorded on the 19/6 with 7 E & 5 W. An evening sea-watch on the 8/7 logged 3 W. Autumn: 5 W on the 5/9. (Autumn records are fairly scarce although several have been recorded in September in past years). PerB.H.Log.

BALEARIC SHEARWATER

2011: 7/8 1 dark phase off Birling (RJF, DC & JFC). 13/8 1 intermediate phase off Birling (DC & JFC), 5/9 2 W (RHC), 6/9 1 W (RHC), & 17/9 1 pale phase W. (DC& JFC). Per B.H.Log.

(46 Balearic Shearwaters have been recorded since 1960 to 2011, although only 6 of these were seen between 1960 to 2000, with a daily max of 8 in 2009. This accords with recent information that Balearic Shearwaters are now having to forage for food further away from their breeding sites).

SOOTY SHEARWATER

2011: 17/9 1 W @ 11.42 (D.Cooper). Per B.H.Log.

(25 have now been recorded since 1960 with a daily max of 6 on the 6/11/05 & 2/9/09).

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.2

To continue with this year's summary with Fulmars, Gannets, Cormorants & Shags:

FULMAR

2011: Recorded from 1/1 (with 12 mainly W), until 19/9 (1). Not seen again until 26/11 when 5 had returned off Birling. Upto 10 loafing on the sea during the Spring. On the 28/12 21E & 9W. Per B.H.Log.

(Fulmars are usually present from early January to after the breeding season and then they depart and are not recorded again until the end of the year or even into the early part of the following year. I did keep a special watch from them this Autumn to see if they are now present all year, but this was not the case).

GANNET

2011: Recorded virtually throughout the year. On the 23/1 120 were feeding, on the 1/2 151 moved W, 2/4 128 E, 18/6 150 off Birling, 10/10 200 of which 170 moved E, & 24/10 222 E with 150 E on the 23/12. Per B.H.Log.

(A rather average year, with no major movements recorded, although looking through past records, movements very rarely total 500 on a day.)

CORMORANT

2011: During Jan & Feb, record numbers were recorded: 2/1 91 including 67 on the sea off Birling, 19/1 31 W, 29/1 130 flew in from the East and landed on the sea off Birling in one raft. 30/1 11 E & 52 W, 8/2 70 including a flock of 50 on the sea. Otherwise numbers were normal usually 10 or less although 27 W on the 30/7. Per B.H.Log.

(The numbers seen in January & February were exceptional ).

SHAG

2011: 18/4 2 W. From the 27/7 to 8/9 recorded on 12 dates and all were immature birds. A total of 35 bird-days with a daily maximum of 9 on the 7/8 of which 8 flew W. Per B.H.Log.

(This Autumn was good for shags but not exceptional, in 1970 a party of 12 spent a week off Birling in May).

10 December, 2011. Beachy Head. Early morning frost & ice then fine sunny & warm NW 1

We visited Beachy today and covered Birling, Belle Tout wood, the rough field & Hotel Garden.

RDME also visited today covering Whitbread Hollow & Cow Gap including Cow Gap beach.

Fulmar 6 off Birling

Little Egret 1 on Cow Gap beach.

Common Scoter 15 on the sea off Birling.

Peregrine 1

Red-legged Partridge 1

Common Gull 200 around Birling

Stock Dove 25

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Skylark 35

Rock Pipit 1

Wren 5

Stonechat 2

Blackbird 15

Mistle Thrush 1

Chiffchaff 1

Goldcrest 1

Tree Creeper 1

Raven 1

Linnet 26

Bullfinch 2

Fox 1

Tree-creeper still present in Belle Tout wood today.

A December Chiffchaff at Birling.

Record shot of a Mistle Thrush feeding in the rough field.

1 of 200 Common Gulls around Birling.

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.1

Have been working on the annual summaries from the Beachy Head Log for 2011, and have decided to show them on the Beachy blog. The summaries include records kindly submitted to myself for inclusion in the log and the blog. Many thanks to the various observers for these records which have helped to give a fuller picture of migration at Beachy Head, and special thanks to David for all his records and pictures and to Bob for supplying me with his ringing and sightings especially from Whitbread Hollow.

Please bear in mind, I can only include records that I have been told about, David and myself were away on holiday from end of April to mid-May and unfortunately I didn't receive any records for this period, especially for the sea-watching and therefore there will be some gaps for some species ie the Skua passage in early May.

I will show these summaries during the course of the next few days and will start with Divers & Grebes.

BLACK THROATED DIVER

2011: 1/1  2 W close in with Red Throateds. Spring sea-watches: Recorded from 29/3 to 6/5 with a total of 42 were recorded with the majority moving E. with 4 E all in summer plumage on the 22/4, 5E on the 4/5, 13E on the 5/5 & 6E on the 6/5 Per B.H.Log

RED THROATED DIVER

2011: Jan-Feb: Huge movements recorded especially during January with a total of 986 W & 407 E with others feeding on the sea. Recorded on 11 dates during January, with daily maximums of 416 W & 9 E on the 1/1 including large flocks of 53, 50 & 46, and 2/1 with 412 W & 177 E. In February 23 W & 35 E on 5 dates.

Spring sea-watches: Movements recorded from the 7/3 to 23/4 with a total of 237 E recorded on 24 dates with daily maximums of 48 E on the 13/3, & 30 E on the 2/4. Only 1 Autumn record of a single W on the 2/11. In Dec.2 on the 23/12, 18E and 2W on the 28/12, and 30/12 6. Per B.H.Log

DIVER Sp.

2011: Jan-Feb – A total of 90 E, & only 5 W with 41E on the 8/2. The majority were considered to be Red Throateds. Spring: 46 E on the 8/3 again most were considered to be Red Throateds. Autumn: Singles E on the 10/10 & 26/11. Per B.H.Log

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

2011: Jan & Feb: Recorded on 14 dates with the majority during February. In total 17 seen on 7 dates in January with a daily maximum of 8 on the sea on the 3/1 and 58 seen on 7 dates during February with daily maximums of 20 on the 8/2 & 12 on the 9/2 when 10 moved E.

Spring sea-watches: Recorded on 12 dates between 7/3 with 4 on the sea to 22/4 when a total of 35 were recorded. Autumn: Recorded on just 4 dates from 23/7 2 E & 5/11 2 off Holywell. In total just 9 birds seen during the Autumn. Per B.H.Log

RED NECKED GREBE

2011: 19/4 1 E @ 19.45 DC PerB.H.Log. (Our 16th record since regular watching commenced in 1960).

SLAVONIAN GREBE

2011: 29/1 2-3 on the sea off Birling & 25/3 1 just started to go into s/p off Birling. Per B.H.Log.

BLACK NECKED GREBE

2011: 13/3 2 in partial s/p on the sea off Birling (DC, JFC, RDME & PN). & 2/4 9 on the sea off Birling (7 in s/p & 2 still in w/p) (JFC & DC )PerB.H.Log.

(28 have now been recorded since 1960 with 9 being the maximum seen on a single day).

26th November, 2011. Beachy Head Overcast SW 4

DC visited the Headland today and sea-watched for nearly an hour before visiting virtually the whole area including Cow Gap, the Gully and Whitebread Hollow, but the area was very quiet:

Diver sp. 1E

Little Egret 2
Fulmar 2W, 3
Gannet 3W, 2E, 2
Brent 2W
Scoter 2W, 1E, 20 on sea
Curlew 6
Auk sp. 3E
Red-legged Partridge 1
Mistle Thrush 4
Skylark 20
Goldfinch 15
Linnet 5

Chalk Cliffs at Birling

Curlews off Birling Gap.

Herring Gull at Birling Gap.

Mistle Thrush at Belle Tout.

22nd November, 2011.Beachy Head Misty at first becoming sunny & warm (18C/66F) No wind.

RDME covered Whitbread Hollow, Cow Gap, Belle Tout wood & Birling lane:

Common Scoter 24 on the sea off Birling

Great Spotted Woodpecker 2

Black Redstart 2 at Birling

Song Thrush 1

Blackbird 40 (mainly in Whitbread Hollow/Cow Gap).

Redpoll 12 E

Goldfinch 9

Bullfinch 3

20th November, 2011. Beachy Head. Fine sunny & warm SE to NE 1

We met up with RJF at Birling and covered all the Headland, briefly meeting up with GG at Belle Tout. Another fine warm day:

Little Egret 1 off Birling.

Kestrel 1

Peregrine 3

Golden Plover 1 heard over the Top Fields.

Skylark 70

Swallow 1 E

Black Redstart 1

Stonechat 4

Chiffchaff 2

Goldcrest 2

Tree Creeper 2 Belle Tout wood.

Goldfinch 150 E

Redpoll 7 W

RedAdmiral 1

One of two Tree Creepers seen in Belle Tout wood today.

Male Stonechat near Birling.

Toadstall sp.in Shooters Bottom.

19 November, 2011 Beachy Head. Clear SE 2

DC & BK covered most of the Headland and recorded the following:

Little Egret 1

Sparrowhawk 1

Merlin 1

Kestrel 1

Lapwing 1

Stock Dove 23 E

Woodpigeon 250 E

Swallow 1 E

Stonechat 4

Black Redstart 1 Birling

Chiffchaff 2

Goldcrest 1

Raven 2

Goldfinch 180 E

Redpoll 2 heard

Chaffinch 20 E

Bullfinch 1

Black Redstart at Birling

16th November, 2011. Beachy Head.Overcast, dull mild. E 1-2

We met up with RDME in Whitbread Hollow and covered the Gully and beach below Cow Gap. Cow Gap, Whitbread Hollow and Holywell. Also several sites on the Head:

Grey Heron 1 off Holywell

Common Scoter 19 on the sea off Birling.

Sparrowhawk 3+ in Whitbread Hollow area.

Peregrine 1

Rock Pipit 1

Ring Ouzel 1 Cow Gap

Blackbird 12

Chiffchaff 1

Goldcrest 5

Raven 2

Goldfinch 105 E

Redpoll 1

Sparrowhawk over Whitbread Hollow

Grey Heron off Holywell

15th November, 2011 Beachy Head. Sunny but hazy, mild. NE 2-3

In very pleasant conditions we covered most of the sites on the Head:

Sparrowhawk 1 which caught a Starling near Belle Tout.

Kestrel 1

Stock Dove 49 S to SE.

Woodpigeon 410 S

Skylark 100 in rough field.

Meadow Pipit 7 E

Black Redstart 1 at Birling

Stonechat 1

Redwing 1

Song Thrush 1

Chiffchaff 3

Goldcrest 1

Goldfinch 100 E

Redpoll 1 W

Red Admiral 1

Fox 1

Three Chiffchaffs seen today

Black Redstart taken in the early morning light.

Common Toadflax still fully out in the rough field.

14th November, 2011 Beachy Head Low cloud with mist and cold. SE 3

RDME visited the Head this morning but with low cloud and mist virtually no diurnal migration was seen. Covered the Birling Gap to Belle Tout but the rest of the area was in the mist:

Stonechat 1

Black Redstart 1 up the lane at Birling.

Chiffchaff 1

Goldcrest 3

Tree Creeper 1

Goldfinch 40 E.

13th November, 2011. Beachy Head. Fine, sunny & mild. ENE 3-4

In fine sunny conditions, we covered the sites from Birling to Shooters Bottom. Diurnal migration was good especially Pigeons and also several late migrants were recorded:

Little Egret 3 off Birling

Grey-lags 2 high E off Birling.

Peregrine 2

Golden Plover 2

Stock Dove 206 chiefly S.

Woodpigeon Approx. 6,300 mainly S.

Short Eared Owl 1 Birling area.

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Skylark 100

Swallow 2 W

Pied Wagtail 5 E

Black Redstart 1

Stonechat 3

Wheatear 1

Blackcap 1

Chiffchaff 4

Goldcrest 3

Treecreeper 1

Starling 450

Chaffinch 17 E

Goldfinch 500 E

Siskin 4 E

Linnet 50 E

Lesser Redpoll 22E & 8 W

Reed Bunting 2 E

Snow Bunting 1 in rough field

Red Admiral 3

About 6,300 Woodpigeons were on the move today.

Over 200 Stock Doves moved South today over the Head.

Snow Bunting over the rough field.

Skylark over Birling

Three Little Egrets off Birling

Two Grey-lags moving East off Birling, may have been

genuine migrants

Surely our last Wheatear and Swallows of the year.

Adult Goldfinch - 500 moved East today.

Treecreeper in Belle Tout wood.

Great Black Back Gulls on the beach at Birling.

3rd winter Lesser Black Back Gull over Birling

Blackberries in blossom in mid-November!!

12th November, 2011 Beachy Head. Dull & Overcast mild. E 1

We only had under 3 hours on the Head today and covered Birling Gap lane, Belle Tout wood & the Hotel Garden. RDME SM & PF were ringing in Whitbread Hollow and this will be their last day of ringing this year. The following are our combined totals with birds ringed in brackets:

Little Egret 1

Sparrowhawk 2

Kestrel 1

Peregrine 3

Woodpigeon 70 S

Tawny Owl 4

Wren 9 (2)

Robin 26 (4)

Blackbird 37 (11)

Fieldfare 1

Song Thrush 1

Chiffchaff 10 (3) Small late arrival.

Goldcrest 10 (2)

Starling 120 W

Goldfinch 150 E

Siskin 6 W

Lesser Redpoll 100 (77)

Bullfinch 2 (1)

Ten Chiffchaffs arrived on the Head today.

Scandinavian Chiffchaff P. collybita abietinus at Birling Gap

With its insipid toned upperparts, lack of yellow to its underparts, subdued supercilium and somewhat overall tristis-like appearance surely as good as this form gets!

Tawny Owl again showing in Belle Tout wood