30 Sept 2014 Beachy Head cloud very variable, warm (58F at dawn , 71F at 1100 hrs) wind W 1/2 inc later to 3

Bob, Sarah and Paul were ringing in Whitbread Hollow and LP visited the Head. Much quieter day for night migrants in both the Hollow and on the Head, which were mainly Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. Diurnal migration was generally also quieter which included another party of 10 Jays E.

Birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Kestrel 2
Tawny Owl 2
Swallow 50
H Martin 20
Meadow Pipit 50
Stonechat 7 (1)
Blackcap 60 (22)
Chiffchaff 75 (50)
Goldcrest 3
Jay 10 E

29 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Cloudy and warm N 1 increasing to 3

RDME was ringing in Whitbread Hollow and LP visited Shooters Bottom and RB visited both Shooters Bottom and Belle Tout and Birling areas. Good fall of night migrants chiefly Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps with Alba Wagtails, Skylarks and Linnets moving E.

The following are the combined totals with birds ringed in brackets:

Sparrowhawk 2 (1) (1 was seen to take and kill a Green Woodpecker)
Kestrel 2
Skylark 30 E
Swallow 400 E
House Martin 100 E
Meadow Pipit 40
Yellow Wagtail 1 E
Alba Wagtail 30 E
Song Thrush 7 (1 continental race trapped)
Reed Warbler 6 (3)
Common Whitethroat 1
Garden Warbler 2
Blackcap 750 (93)
Chiffchaff 300 (39)
Goldcrest 6 (1)
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Long-tailed Tit 2 (1)
Jay 2
Linnet 60 E
Bullfinch 2 (1)

28 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Hazy sunshine warm ESE 1-2

We again joined up with JK and RJF and covered all the usual sites with the exception of the Belle Tout loop. Also saw GG, ASC and GB. RDME was ringing in Whitbread Hollow.
Generally fewer night migrants today present with a Marsh Harrier heading SW near Belle Tout @ 09.45. and a Merlin was seen in the Hollow. Fewer hirundines moving this morning but reasonable numbers of Alba Wagtails, Linnets and Meadow Pipits moving E during the first two hours of daylight.

Combined totals with birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Grey Heron 3 N over the Hollow
Marsh Harrier 1 SW @ 09.45
Sparrowhawk 1
Common Buzzard 1
Kestrel 4
Merlin 1
Peregrine 1
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Swallow c300 E
House Martin 50 E
Meadow Pipit 330 (230 E)
Yellow Wagtail 1 E
Alba Wagtail 82 E
Wren 4
Robin 15
Whinchat 2
Wheatear 4
Grasshopper Warbler 1 Hollow
Common Whitethroat 5
Blackcap 68 (19)
Chiffchaff 37 (1)
Goldcrest 2
Linnet 120 E
Bullfinch 1

Common Blue 1

Female Blackcap in Shooters Bottom.

27 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Overcast humid W 0-1

We joined up with RJF and JK at Birling and covered all the main sites on the Headland, also meeting up with RKH and RES in Shooters Bottom and they had covered several sites including a visit to Hodcombe. Bob and Sarah were ringing in Whitbread Hollow and had good numbers of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps and also a Hobby showed in the Hollow.
Reasonable fall of Chiffchaffs on the Headland, with a single Grasshopper Warbler being the highlight. Swallows and House Martins again moving E in reasonable numbers with smaller numbers of Meadow Pipits and another Jay which moved W.

The following are the combined totals, with birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 3
Hobby 1
Merlin 1
Sandwich Tern 1
Great-spotted Woodpecker 2
Skylark 12 E
Sand Martin 1 E
Swallow c1,500 E
House Martin c1,000 chiefly E
Tree Pipit 1 W
Meadow Pipit 170 (70 E)
Alba Wagtail 5 (4 E and 1 W)
Wren 6
Robin 30
Stonechat 16
Wheatear 1
Grasshopper Warbler 1
Common Whitethroat 3
Blackcap 210 (74 )
Chiffchaff 215 (65)
Goldcrest 5 (1)
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Long-tailed Tit 2
Jay 1 W
Raven 3
Yellowhammer 4

Wall Brown 1

An early morning Spotted Flycatcher at Birling

Perhaps the last of this year's Wall Butterflies.

25 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Cloud cover 1/8 to 7/8 N/NW 3 to N1 to 3 cool at first.

RDME went ringing in Whitbread Hollow this morning but found very few night migrants present and the Hollow was generally very quiet with little diurnal migration seen.
The following are his sightings with birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Kestrel 1
Tawny Owl 2
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Swallow 30
House Martin 15
Pied Wagtail 2
Stonechat 8
Grasshopper Warbler 1 (1)
Blackcap 40 (15)
Chiffchaff 10 (2)
Goldcrest 2
Jay 2
Raven 1
Bullfinch 1

23 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Early haze becoming light overcast and warm. Wind O at first becoming W 0-1

Another fine morning, and we covered all the main sites on the Head including Icky Ridge and the Birling to Belle Tout loop. LP also covered the Shooters Bottom area. Bob and Paul were ringing in Whitbread Hollow and had good numbers of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs.
Less night migrant activity and variety with a single Ring Ouzel being the highlight. Good numbers of Meadow Pipits were grounded with c400 seen although if the fields were checked this number would increase. Diurnal migration was chiefly restricted to hirundines with only small numbers of Pipits etc. Another 2 Jays moved East.
Combined totals with birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Little Egret 1 off Birling
Brent Goose 17 on the sea off Birling
Shoveler 1 female with the Brent Geese
Common Buzzard 1
Sparrowhawk 4
Kestrel 5
Merlin 1
Peregrine 2
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark 4 high W and 25 E
Swallow c500 chiefly E
House Martin c800 feeding and drifting E
Tree Pipit 2 E
Meadow Pipit 450 (400 on the ground and 50 E)
Yellow Wagtail 3 E
Common Redstart 1
Wheatear 10
Ring Ouzel 1
Blackbird 12
Song Thrush 3
Sedge Warbler 1 (1)
Reed Warbler 4 (3)
Lesser Whitethroat 2
Blackcap 37 on the Head and Estimated 750 (121) in the Hollow.
Chiffchaff 200 (32)
Long-tailed Tit 2 (2)
Chaffinch 25 E
Bullfinch 2
Jay 2 E over the Old Trapping Area.

 

Two Jays moving E over the Old Trapping Area.

Chiffchaff in the Hotel garden.

Wheatear at Birling

22 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Cool at first becoming fine sunny and warm. NNE 1-2

Beautiful autumnal morning and we covered all the main sites on the Headland with the exception of the Belle Toot loop, meeting up with RKH, RES and SU. LP was birding in the Whitbread Hollow area during the morning, and also visited the Headland during the afternoon when ME was also birding on the Head.
Respectable arrival of night migrants chiefly Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps with 2 Firecrests again at Birling.
Diurnal passage was on the slow side considering how clear it was, 1 Osprey SE over Shooters Bottom at 14.40 hrs. was the highlight, also a party of 11 Jays E.
Combined totals of the observers:

Grey Heron 1 S high over Birling.
Osprey 1 high SE over Shooters Bottom
Sparrowhawk 1
Common Buzzard 3
Kestrel 4
Skylark 3 N high over the cliff edge at Chat Vale.
Sand Martin 2 E
Swallow 360 E
House Martin 350 chiefly feeding over the cliffs
Meadow Pipit 200 chiefly E
Yellow Wagtail 4 E
Grey Wagtail 1 E
Pied Wagtail 6 E
Robin 20
Common Redstart 3 Shooters Bottom
Whinchat 4
Wheatear 3
Song Thrush 2
Grasshopper Warbler 2
Sedge Warbler 2
Reed Warbler 1
Lesser Whitethroat 2+
Common Whitethroat 4
Garden Warbler 1
Blackcap 120
Chiffchaff 86
Goldcrest 5
Firecrest 2
Spotted Flycatcher 1-2
Jay 11 E over Shooters Bottom
Chaffinch 50 with some moving E
Greenfinch 4 E
Linnet 20 E

 

Firecrest at Birling

 11 Jays flew East over Shooters Bottom.

 

Kestrel over the Top Fields.

Chiffchaff in the Hotel Garden.

Sedge Warbler in the Hotel Garden

(taken by Roger Haggar)

Moulting Common Buzzard over the Old Trapping Area.

(taken by Roger Haggar)
Spotted Flycatcher in the Old Trapping Area.

(above two taken by Laurence Pitcher)

Osprey flying South over Shooters Bottom.

21 Sept 2014 Beachy Head

RJF visited various sites on the Headland including Whitbread Hollow. Reasonable numbers of night migrants including a Lapland Bunting and 2 Firecrests. Steady easterly passage of diurnal migrants which included a party of 27 Canada Geese.

Canada Geese 27 E over Long Down
Sand Martin 4 E
Swallow 230 E
House Martin 420 E
Meadow Pipit 200 E
Yellow Wagtail 6
Pied Wagtail 15 E
Whinchat 3
Stonechat 16
Wheatear 27
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Common Whitethroat 10
Garden Warbler 1
Blackcap 28
Chiffchaff 68
Willow Warbler 1
Goldcrest 2
Firecrest 2
Spotted Flycatcher 3
Raven 2
Yellowhammer 1
Lapland Bunting 1 Shooters Bottom

20 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Overcast at dawn with misty at times, N/NE 2 then E3

We met up with RJF and MK at Birling and between us we covered all the main sites on the Headland. We also met up with SL, RKH and RES who were also birding on the Headland. LP visited Whitbread Hollow, Cow Gap, Gully and Sardine Valley and Bob and Sarah were ringing in Whitbread Hollow.

Good numbers of common night migrants but lacking any quality. The misty conditions prevented much in the way of diurnal migration with Meadow Pipits moving E in small numbers.

The following are the combined numbers with birds ringed shown in brackets:

Little Egret 3
Brent Goose 6 E
Sparrowhawk 4
Common Buzzard 1
Kestrel 4
Peregrine 2
Great Black-backed Gull 50 chiefly adults E
Swallow 60 E
House Martin 2
Tree Pipit 2
Meadow Pipit c220 chiefly E
Yellow Wagtail 5
Whinchat 4+
Wheatear 5
Reed Warbler 2 (1)
Lesser Whitethroat 3
Common Whitethroat 14 (1)
Blackcap Estimated 1,000+ (110)
Chiffchaff Estimated c150 (19)
Willow Warbler 1
Goldcrest 5
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Long-tailed Tit 2
Raven 2

Small Copper 2
Clouded Yellow 1
Hummingbird Hawk Moth 1

Spotted Flycatcher in Shooters Bottom

(taken by Laurence Pitcher)

Chiffchaff 

(taken by Laurence Pitcher)

Pair of Migrant Hawkers mating.

(All 3 taken by Laurence Pitcher)

Large Falcon sp. with bells etc feeding on a Rook in Sardine 

Valley. Larger than a Peregrine and possibly a Saker type hybrid.

19 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Cloud 7/8 to 4/8 to 1/8, E 2 or 3 later 4. Misty then clearing then thick fog. Very warm from dawn

RDME was ringing in Whitbread Hollow and had a small fall of migrants, NP covered Shooters Bottom and at both sites our first Ring Ouzels of the Autumn were see. Meadow Pipits and Swallows were moving E and a party of 12 Siskins, our first also for the Autumn also moved E.
Birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 1
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Common Redstart 2
Ring Ouzel 2
Song Thrush 1 (1 Continental race)
Reed Warbler 1 (1)
Common Whitethroat 3
Blackcap 50 (22)
Chiffchaff 50 (5)
Goldcrest 2 (1)
Spotted Flycatcher 2
Siskin 12 E
Jay 1
Raven 1

17 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Overcast at first becoming sunny. NE 5 gusting to 6

Arriving at Birling to a strong NE breeze which made birding difficult. Covered Birling lane, Shooters Bottom, The Old Trapping Area, Hotel Garden, Icky Ridge and finished in Belle Tout wood, meeting up with LP and NP in Shooters Bottom. LP also covered Sardine Valley.
Just a few migrants were seen in the area, and the strong breeze kept diurnal migration to a minimum with only small numbers of hirundines and 60 Meadow Pipits all moving E.

Grey Heron 1
Sparrowhawk 2
Merlin 1
Kestrel 3
Golden Plover 1
Sand Martin 2 E
Swallow 250 E
House Martin 150 E
Tree Pipit 1
Meadow Pipit 60 E
Grey Wagtail 1 W
Pied Wagtail 2 W
Common Redstart 1
Whinchat 2
Wheatear 4
Sedge Warbler 1
Common Whitethroat 4
Blackcap 3
Chiffchaff 3
Goldcrest 1

Late news for yesterday: LP visited Shooters Bottom area during the evening and saw 2 juv. Yellow-legged Gulls on the cliff edge above Shooters Bottom, also a female type Merlin.

(taken by Laurence Pitcher)

Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull on cliff top above Shooters Bottom.

16 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Overcast at first becoming fine sunny and warm NE to E 2 increasing to 4

RDME went ringing in Whitbread Hollow, and Blackcap numbers were good but otherwise just small numbers of Chiffchaffs and odd other migrants recorded. Small party of Long-tailed Tits which included one re-trap, first ringed two years ago.
Birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 1
Tawny Owl 1
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Reed Warbler 3 (3)
Common Whitethroat 1
Blackcap 150 (67)
Chiffchaff 12 (5)
Goldcrest 1 (1)
Long-tailed Tit 6 (1)
Jay 2

Red Admiral 1
Common Blue 2
Southern Hawker 1

Late News for yesterday: Short-eared Owl flew E over Shooters Bottom.

Probable Ichneumon amblyteles armatorius in Shooters Bottom.

taken on the 14th.

(i/d by RKH)

14 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Overcast and warm E 3

We met up with RJF and JK at Birling and covered all the main sites on the Headland also meeting up with SL, ASC and GB. who were also birding the Headland.
Again just a thin scattering of night migrants although a good passage of Meadow Pipits E with Yellow and Grey Wagtails as well as hirundines with the highlights being a juv. Honey Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl.
The following is the combined totals of the above observers:

Little Egret 1
Honey Buzzard 1 juv. W and then inland.
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 4+
Hobby 1
Peregrine 2
Short-eared Owl 1 Shooters Bottom departed E @ approx.10.30.
Great-spotted Woodpecker 2
Sand Martin 11 E
Swallow c350 E
House Martin c500 E
Tree Pipit 2 W
Meadow Pipit c300 E
Yellow Wagtail 65
Grey Wagtail 9
Pied Wagtail 3 E
Whinchat 4
Wheatear 11
Grasshopper Warbler 1
Common Whitethroat 6
Chiffchaff 9
Willow Warbler 1
Firecrest 1 Shooters Bottom
Raven 2
Corn Bunting 3

(Both images taken by David Cooper)

Juv. Honey Buzzard over Shooters Bottom.

David's comments:

A rather large, full-bodied and broad-winged Honey Buzzard with a rather prominent 'sixth' primary so reminiscent of juvenile Oriental Honey Buzzards seen on Hegura-jima although the oval-shaped dark carpal patches quickly dispel such thoughts! From Common Buzzard the two very narrow dark inner tail bars are diagnostic as are the dark bars traversing the pale inner primaries, the pale greater coverts of its underwings forming a pale wing-band and the aforementioned oval-shaped dark carpal patches. The dark secondaries, extensively black primaries and yellow cere all help to age it as a juvenile.

13 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Fine warm and sunny NE 3

We covered all the main Headland sites, meeting up briefly with RB at Shooters Bottom. Again just small numbers of night migrants seen with the highlights being 3 Grasshopper Warblers and our first Firecrest of the Autumn.

Fulmar 1
Little Egret 3
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 4+
Peregrine 2
Great-spotted Woodpecker 2 (1 calling at Birling and 1 E over the cliffs at Shooters Bottom)
Sand Martin 6 E
Swallow 75 E
House Martin 1,100 E
Meadow Pipit 140 (including 60 E)
Yellow Wagtail 15 E
Grey Wagtail 3 E
Pied Wagtail 1 E
Common Redstart 1 female
Whinchat 2
Wheatear 7
Grasshopper Warbler 3
Common Whitethroat 20
Blackcap 6
Chiffchaff 8
Firecrest 1

Adonis Blue 1 male

Whinchat at Birling

Wheatear at Belle Tout

Good numbers of House Martins moving

Firecrest in Shooters Bottom.

Male Adonis Blue

12 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Some early morning mist becoming fine and warm. E 1-2 increasing to 2-3

We covered most of the Headland sites meeting up with RKH, RES and GG. RDME also covered the Birling lane and loop to Belle Tout and he then visited the Whitbread Hollow area.

Migrants were generally very thin on the ground and probably related to chiefly left-overs. Only small numbers of diurnal migrants were moving chiefly E.

LP visited the area on the 11th and recorded just small numbers of migrants including 4 Wheatears, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 15 Chiffchaffs and a scattering of Whitethroats and Blackcap. The overhead passage included 2,000 hirundines, chiefly House Martins, 100+ Meadow Pipits, 20 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Today's combined totals are as follows:

Sparrowhawk 2-3

Kestrel 4

Sand Martin 6 E

Swallow 300

House Martin 70 E

Meadow Pipit 30 E

Yellow Wagtail 4

Whinchat 1

Sedge Warbler 1

Lesser Whitethroat 1

Common Whitethroat 25

Blackcap 10

Chiffchaff 10

Goldcrest 1

Clouded Yellow 3

Comma 1

Whinchat at Birling

 

 Common Whitethroat in the Hotel Garden.

 

(taken by Laurence Pitcher)

Wheatear taken on the 11th.

(taken by Laurence Pitcher)

Chiffchaff taken on the 11th.

10 Sept 2014 Beachy Head Sunny at first becoming overcast E1-2

We covered Birling Lane, Shooters Bottom, Old Trapping Area, Hotel Garden and Icky Ridge, Belle Tout wood and partly walked through the rough field, meeting up with RKH, RES, KH, and LP.

Only a thin scattering of migrants on the Headland with no real quality, although a Short-eared Owl was reported on RBA. from Shooters Bottom.  An early movement E of Swallows and House Martins and a Golden Plover heard calling moved W.

Little Egret 1
Kestrel 1
Golden Plover calling moved W
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Sand Martin 4 E
Swallow c1,000 E between 07.00-09.00
House Martin c300 E between 07.00-09.00
Yellow Wagtail 10
Whinchat 5
Stonechat 20
Wheatear 1
Sedge Warbler 1
Lesser Whitethroat 2
Common Whitethroat 20
Garden Warbler 1
Blackcap 25
Chiffchaff 7
Raven 1

Yellow Wagtails feeding on the cliff edge.

 

Greater-spotted Woodpecker in the Hotel Garden.