19 July 2014 Beachy Head Early thunder storms then overcast humid Wind variable 1 gusting to 3

 After overnight thunder storms, we arrived at Birling in overcast humid conditions. We visited most of the sites on the Headland but after the recent hot weather just the odd migrants were seen and surprisingly very few Swifts moving considering the conditions. Two Nightingales were heard croaking and another juvenile Yellow-legged Gull flew along the cliffs before flying directly over our heads and disappeared inland. Most of the common downland butterflies were seen in small numbers including two Wall Browns.

Little Egret 1 off Birling
Common Scoter 3
Common Buzzard 2
Yellow-legged Gull 1 juv. headed inland.
Swift 9
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1 ad. male near B/T wood
Sand Martin 1
Swallow 3
Nightingale 2 croaking
Sedge Warbler 1
Common Whitethroat 23
Blackcap 2
Chiffchaff 2 adults
Corn Bunting 8 including 2 juveniles

Juv. Yellow-legged Gull taken in early morning light directly

overhead at Birling.

 

Common Whitethroat at Birling

 

Adult male Great-spotted Woodpecker near Belle Tout wood

 

Juvenile Corn Bunting at Birling

Wall Butterfly 2nd brood.