19th August 2012 Beachy E2 Clear

For the second time in as many weeks a front straddling the UK prompted a fall of Willow Warblers enjoyed by the early risers as many Willow Warblers were seen quickly heading inland soon after dawn. The top was again well-covered including the Cliff Path and the rides above Whitbread Hollow with PN & MN and RHC kindly supplying numbers of migrants and Bob, Sarah and Jake were ringing in Whitbread Hollow. Birds ringed in brackets. Pied Flycatchers made a good showing but the best was saved to last in the form of an elusive Melodious Warbler found late in the afternoon.

Low pressure remains west of Ireland, with a series of showery troughs moving northwards across western parts of the UK in the flow. A waving front lies north-south across England marking the dividing line between the hot, humid air in the southeast and the fresher air to the north and west.

Peregrine 2
Hobby 1
Tawny Owl 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 3
Swift 17
Swallow c.95
House Martin 50
Sand Martin 12W
Yellow Wagtail 15W
Tree Pipit 3
Wheatear 3
Whinchat 2
Redstart 4
Reed Warbler 5 (4)
Sedge Warbler 3
Whitethroat 320 (40)
Lesser Whitethroat 4
Garden Warbler 11 (11)
Blackcap 16 (6)
Grasshopper Warbler 1
Melodious Warbler 1 ex. very briefly at 3.45pm and again at 4.45pm but no further sign by 6pm
Willow Warbler 300 (30)
Chiffchaff 3 (2)
Pied Flycatcher 13
Spotted Flycatcher 5
Long-tailed Tit c.6
Crossbill 1 juv. S over rides
Bullfinch 1

Southern Hawker 1
Rush Veneer Moth 1
Dingy Footman 1
Autumn Ladies Tresses c.60

Pied Flycatcher at Birling

Chiffchaff at Birling

Willow Warblers at Birling

Pied Flycatcher at Birling

Holly Blue at Birling

Pied Flycatcher at Belle Tout

Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed in Whitbread Hollow (pictures by Jake Everitt)

Swarm of insects at the Old Trapping Area

Emperor at Icky Ridge

Melodious Warbler above Whitbread Hollow