2011: Spring: Only small numbers recorded.
10 pairs were counted breeding in Cow Gap on the 4/4 and on the 10/7 50 were recorded in the area.
Autumn: Daily maximums: 14/9 400 (300 in the area & 100 + W), 19/9 250 (50 W),
8/10 200 (150 W), 9/10 150 (100 W). . Per B.H.Log.
(An average year)TREE PIPIT
2011: Spring: An early migrant was seen on the 24/3 when 1 was seen and heard calling moving N. over Birling. 1 was seen on the 24/4.
Autumn: Recorded on 12 dates between 14/8 (5 W) & 3/10 (2). In total 33 were recorded with a daily maximum of 12 on the 10/9. . Per B.H.Log.
(Our previous earliest Spring record was the 26/3 although the earliest for Sussex is the 17/3. Like so many of our other migrants numbers of Tree Pipits recorded during the Autumn have declined since regular watching commenced in 1960. For example, in 1972, (and this was just an average year), it was recorded on 32 dates during Autumn passage with 362 bird-days and daily maximums of 40 on both the 16/8 and 16/9 compared with the 33 recorded during this last Autumn).
ROCK PIPIT
2011: Mainly singles were recorded on odd dates from Birling Gap but also seen on the beach at Cow Gap although this site is rarely visited now. On the 17/12 3 were present in the Birling Gap car park. Per B.H.Log
(1965: A survey of the cliffs between Birling Gap and Holywell produced 23 singing males holding territory.)
PIED WAGTAIL
2011: Between 12/3 to 24/4 14 alba types were seen coming in off the sea or moving over the Headland and several of these were probably White Wagtails.
Autumn: On the 17/8 12 alba types and were considered to be White Wagtails were feeding on the Downs above Belle Tout wood. Main movements: 1/10 23 E, 2/10 55,
8/10 40 W, 15/10 70 E, 16/10 50 E, 5/11 14 E. . Per B.H.Log.
(A fairly typical year)
WHITE WAGTAIL
2011: Spring: Recorded on 5 dates from 22/3 (1) to 10/4 (2). 26/3 7 found feeding in the rough field with 4 alba types coming in off the sea. 9/4 4 Whites in the field plus 4 albas coming in off the sea. . Per B.H.Log.
(A good Spring, also see the comments under Pied Wagtail)
GREY WAGTAIL
2011: A single bird appeared to be wintering at Birling Sewage plant and was seen on the 3/1 and 12/2.
Autumn: Recorded on 5 dates from 29/8 (3W), and 1/10 (1). In total 17 were seen with the maximum of 10/9 9 (5 W). . Per B.H.Log.
(Numbers of Grey Wagtails in recent years have been in decline. Just 17 recorded this Autumn and 32 during the Autumn of 2010. In 2009, it was just logged on 2 dates, this compares with 52 recorded in 1970, 55 in 1971 and 100 in 1972).
YELLOW WAGTAIL
2011: Spring: Just seen on 2 dates as follows 22/4 1 in off the sea & 24/4 2.
Autumn: Recorded on 13 dates from 14/8 (2) to 1/10 (2). Daily maximums 28/8 62 passing over the Top Fields, 4/9 28, 10/9 70, & 14/9 35. . Per B.H.Log.
(Our best Autumn for several years).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE
2011: One spent 2 minutes near the cliff edge at Birling before departing inland on the 6/11. J.W.King, J.F.Cooper, D.Cooper & B.Kay. Per B.H.Log.
(Our first record since 2007 and only our 3rd record this century. From 1966 until 1973 one regularly wintered in Whitbread Hollow and was frequently seen catching House Martins when it first arrived. Our best year was in 1971 when an exceptional 8 different birds were considered to have been recorded).
STARLING
2011; Winter 9/1 200 recorded. Spring: Upto 200 in the Bullock Down Farm area in March, but only 50 seen by the 6/4. On the 30/5 15 including a few juveniles.
Autumn: In July upto 400 were present in the Birling/Top Fields area and were virtually all juveniles. Similar numbers of Starlings were present in August, September and into October often around the manure field at Bullock Down Farm. On the 28/10 60 were seen going over Whitbread Hollow. In November, passage was noted with 520 on the 6/11 of which 420 moved West, 120 W on the 12/11, and on the 19/11 500 were again seen in the Bullock Down Farm fields. Winter: A flock of 200 were feeding in the fields on the 10/12. Per B.H.Log.
