This Autumn 2018 summary was extracted out of the Beachy Head log and includes bird records of a few local observers and includes details from Robert Edgar who runs the Beachy Head Ringing Group (BHRG) which operates from Whitbread Hollow. Unfortunately virtually no sea-watching was carried out this Autumn other than casual looking out whilst birding around the various sites.
Red-throated Diver
Autumn: 31/10 1 on the sea and 3/11 1 on the
sea.
Fulmar
Autumn: Recorded up to 31/10.
Gannet
Autumn: (Very little sea-watching carried out
during this Autumn) Max numbers logged:
30/7 124 (41 E and 83 W), 12/8 60 E and
18/10 40 feeding off Birling.
Cormorant
Autumn: Parties of 14 W and 5 E on the 18/7 and 8 E on the 4/8.
Little Egret
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 8/8 to 31/10, chiefly singles on Birling beach, with 3 flying over the Downs behind Whitbread Hollow on the 17/8.
Grey Heron
Autumn: Just a single bird E out to sea off Birling on the 29/9.
Common Scoter
Autumn: (virtually no sea-watching carried out during the Autumn) 30/7 6E and 31/10 1E.
Mute Swan
Sparrowhawk
Cormorant
Autumn: Parties of 14 W and 5 E on the 18/7 and 8 E on the 4/8.
Little Egret
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 8/8 to 31/10, chiefly singles on Birling beach, with 3 flying over the Downs behind Whitbread Hollow on the 17/8.
Grey Heron
Autumn: Just a single bird E out to sea off Birling on the 29/9.
Common Scoter
Autumn: (virtually no sea-watching carried out during the Autumn) 30/7 6E and 31/10 1E.
White-fronted Goose
2018 2 adults E out to sea on the 17/11. Photos (LP)
Our earliest Autumn date.
2018 2 adults E out to sea on the 17/11. Photos (LP)
Our earliest Autumn date.
Mute Swan
Autumn: 30/8 5 on the sea off Cow Gap, 9/10 1
juv on the beach at Birling and 17/10 1 flew over the Headland.
A strange sighting was of this juvenile Mute Swan paddling on Birling beach.
Common Buzzard
Autumn: Recorded on 44 dates from 3/7 to 23/11.
Daily maxs: 28/8 (15), 29/8 (10), 1/9 (15 including 11 in a kettle over the top fields),
29/9 (11 including 10 over Crowlink).
Common Buzzard over the Headland.
Sparrowhawk
Autumn: Recorded on 50 dates with a total of 83
bird-days and a daily maximum of 5 on the 1/9 (3 on the Headland and 2 in the
Hollow). Two were also seen at Crowlink on the 29/9.
Sparrowhawk taken at dawn along the Birling road.
Red Kite
Autumn: 4/8, 3 soaring over Belle Tout wood, and 7/8 1 E over Shooters Bottom.
Honey Buzzard
Autumn: One went S out to sea at 13.33 hrs.
photos (LP, SL, GG) .
Marsh Harrier
2018: Autumn: Singles recorded on 8 dates from 4/8 to 29/9., one of which moved E out to sea off Birling. It was difficult to be sure how many different individuals were involved.
Two of the Marsh Harriers seen on the Headland this Autumn.
Osprey
Autumn: 29/9 1 SE over Shooters Bottom at 12.45. (RB).
Hobby
Autumn: Singles recorded on 9 dates from 19/7 to 30/9.
Peregrine
Autumn: Recorded throughout the Autumn but never more than 3 on a day. Several juveniles were seen.
Kestrel
Autumn: Recorded throughout on 51 dates with 6 on the 7/9 (5 on the Headland and 1 in the Hollow).
Pheasant
Autumn: Just recorded on 3 dates. On the 18/8 3 full grown young were standing on the road near Belle Tout wood.
Oystercatcher
Autumn: up to 10 present on Birling beach.
Lapwing
Autumn: 29/10 5 flew over the Headland and 17/11 c80 E out to sea.
Ringed Plover
Autumn: 17/8 1 over the Headland and 17/11 1 over the Headland
Golden Plover
Autumn: Recorded on 6 dates from 22/8 to 27/11 with a daily max: 17/11 (6 over Headland).
Autumn: 6/11 2 (1 taken by a Peregrine on the Headland and 1 Long Down) and 11/11 1 Long Down.
Whimbrel
Autumn: 13/7 1 in off the sea and 4/8 1 E.
Curlew
Autumn: 30/7 5W, 7/8 1 flew over the top fields, 1/9 4W over the top fields and then flew out to sea.
Great Skua
Autumn: 30/7 (1).
Mediterranean Gull
Autumn: 4/8 1 ad. E off Birling.
Little Gull
Autumn: 3/11 1 juv. E off Birling Gap @ 08.05
Caspian Gull
Autumn: 8/9 1 cy. In fields at Birling (J.Partridge).
Our 2nd record
Yellow-legged Gul
Autumn: 1 juv. above the cliffs at the Old Trapping Area.
Sandwich Tern
Autumn (No sea-watching was carried out this Autumn). 13/9 1 off Birling.
Auk Sp.
Autumn: 31/10 12 E and 3 W.
Stock Dove
Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates from 5/9 (2) to 17/11. Daily maxs: 20/10 10 E with Wood Pigeons, 29/10 11 on the Headland and 17/11 50 over the Headland.
Wood Pigeon
Autumn: Recorded throughpout the Autumn with upto 50 present in Whitbread Hollow and similar numbers on the Headland. Movements recorded from late October with daily maxs: 20/10 (150W and 80 E), 21/10 (400), 24/10 (250 over Whitbread Hollow, 29/10 (300 over Birling and 17/11 (200 over the Headland).
Turtle Dove
Autumn: 26/8 ( 1 Old Trapping Area), 13/9 (1 on the Headland) and 22/9 (1 Shooters Bottom departed W).
Collared Dove
Autumn: Just recorded on 5 dates from 31/7 to 22/10 with only 5 birds seen.
Cuckoo
Autumn: Just 3 sigthtings, 3/7 1 juv Shooters Bottom, 4/8 and 9/8 1 Old Trapping Area.
Barn Owl
1/9 One flushed from the Cattle Field above Whitbread Hollow. (RAB).
Just our 8th record since 1960.
Tawny Owl
Autumn: No further sightings were logged for Belle Tout wood, but up to 3 present in Whitbread Hollow/Holywell area all Autumn.
Short-eared Owl
Nightjar
Swift
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Wryneck
Sadly no sightings recorded this year.
Woodlark
Autumn: 3 moving over the Headland on the 20/10. (ASC).
Skylark
Autumn: Movements: 5/10 15 E, 14/10 20 E, 20/10 c40 E. Only low numbers found feeding in the set-a-side field as follows: 26/9 (25), 9/10 (30), 22/10 (70) and 4/12 (30).
Swallow
Autumn: Recorded on 48 dates from 3/7 to 14/11 (2W). July and Aug: Only low numbers recorded with max. of 40 on a day until the 31/8 when 2,000 moved E.
House Martin
Sand Martin
Raven
Autumn: Odd birds recorded throughout, with the following parties: 13/7 5 juvenile types feeding on the beach at Birling, 11/8 6, 24/10 8(3 Hollow and 5 Headland). Probably 2-3 pairs breeding on the cliffs.
Magpie
Good numbers were again present throughout the year. On the 20/10 a party of 16 flew high over the Headland moving W.
Jay
Autumn: The pair was again present in Whitbread Hollow area during the Autumn, with 3 there on the 3/10. Odd birds were also recorded from the Headland as follows: 14/9 3 (2 Cow Gap and 1 Shooters Bottom which departed E), 26/9 2 (1 Shooters Bottom and 1 Old Trapping Area), 9/10 1 Cattle Field, 16/10 1 Hotel Garden.
Coal Tit
Autumn: 9/11 One seen briefly in Belle Tout wood but was not identified as to race.
Long-tailed Tit
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 18/8 to 16/10 but never more than 6 on a day, with most records coming from the Whitbread Hollow area.
Nuthatch
Autumn: 31/8 One toured around the Headland and visited the Old Trapping Area, Shooters Bottom and the toilet block bushes.
Autumn: Recorded on 21 dates from 4/8 to 9/10, with a total of just 51 bird-days with daily maxs: 5 on the 25/8, 26/8 and 30/8.
Black Redstart
Autumn: Recorded on 10 dates from 31/7 to 18/10, with a total of 12 bird-days with daily maxs. of 2 on the 22/9, 5/10 and 18/10. This probably involved 11 different individuals. (RHC only recorded a single bird in Hodcombe during the Autumn although he was away for some of this time).
Nightingale
Autumn: Recorded on 11 dates from 6/7 (an early adult migrant was calling a lot and also a short song burst and showed well in Shooters Bottom) to 21/8. A total of 13 bird-days, probably involving 9 different individuals with a daily max of 3 (2 Shooters Bottom and 1 in Whitbread Hollow).
Robin
Autumn: Recorded throughout with daily maxs: 26/9 20 on the Headland, 5/10 20 present on the whole area, 9/10 18 with 10 in the Hollow and 8 on the Headland, 14/10 20 on the Headland.
58 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn.
Cetti's Warbler
One present at Birling lane from 16/11 to 23/11 photo (LP. RDME).
Our latest date
Grasshopper Warbler
Autumn: Recorded on 21 dates from 23/7 (2) to 22/9 (1). A total of 50 bird-days
With daily maxs: 1/8 (5), 11/8 (5), 26/8 (6) 30/8 (5). Again Whitbread Hollow recorded most of these records with the majority being trapped and ringed by the BHRG. On the 2/9 the gropper field in Cow Gap was visited and 4 birds were seen.
38 were ringed this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
Reed Warbler
Autumn: Recorded on 37 dates from 15/7 (2) to 16/10 (1). A total of 271 bird-days with daily maxs: 5/8 44 (9 Headland and 35 Hollow), 11/8 16 (9 Headland, 7 Hollow), 21/8 21 (20 Hollow and 1 Headland), 25/8 22 (20 Hollow, 2 Headland)
1/9 19 (15 Hollow 4 Headland).
98 were ringed this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
Three ringing recoveries:
Age 3 ringed 13/8/17 controlled Wilstone Reservoir, near Tring, Herts 1/7/18.
Age 3 ringed 20/9/14 controlled Waterham, Kent 30/6/18 and 19/7/18.
Age 3 ringed 24/7/18 at Titchfield Haven NNR, Hants controlled 5/8/18.
Sedge Warbler
Autumn: Recorded on 30 dates from 18/7 (2) to 20/10 (1). A total of 72 bird-days with daily maxs:
2/8 15 (14 Headland and 1 Hollow), 17/8 8 (6 Headland and 1 Hollow).
18 were ringed this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
Melodious Warbler
One present in the Toilet block bushes before moving to the Hotel Garden from 20/8 to 25/8.
Dartford Warbler
Autumn: Singles reported on 5 dates from 25/10 to 17/11 in the gorse area between Belle Tout and Birling Gap and probably related to a single bird.
Blackcap
Age 3 juv. female ringed 20/8/17 controlled Bondhay Farm, Whitwell, Derby 25/9/18.
A small increase
during the Autumn from the last few Autumns of the number of bird-days logged
but numbers are still very poor compared with the 1970’s when the number of
bird-days could be in excess of 800 p.a. PerB.H.Log
Richards Pipit
Marsh Harrier
2018: Autumn: Singles recorded on 8 dates from 4/8 to 29/9., one of which moved E out to sea off Birling. It was difficult to be sure how many different individuals were involved.
Two of the Marsh Harriers seen on the Headland this Autumn.
Osprey
Autumn: 29/9 1 SE over Shooters Bottom at 12.45. (RB).
Hobby
Autumn: Singles recorded on 9 dates from 19/7 to 30/9.
Hobby over Shooters Bottom.
Peregrine
Autumn: Recorded throughout the Autumn but never more than 3 on a day. Several juveniles were seen.
A quick fly past of an adult Peregrine with prey at Birling Gap.
Merlin
Autumn: Singles recorded on 6 dates from 2/9 to
25/10 all from the Headland sites.Kestrel
Autumn: Recorded throughout on 51 dates with 6 on the 7/9 (5 on the Headland and 1 in the Hollow).
Kestrel sat opposite Shooters Bottom.
Red-legged Partridge
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 18/7 to 9/10
with up to 8 on a day chiefly in the Birling area although 5 were also seen in
Cow Gap on the 2/8.
Red-legged Partridge in the set-aside field.
Pheasant
Autumn: Just recorded on 3 dates. On the 18/8 3 full grown young were standing on the road near Belle Tout wood.
Oystercatcher
Autumn: up to 10 present on Birling beach.
Lapwing
Autumn: 29/10 5 flew over the Headland and 17/11 c80 E out to sea.
Ringed Plover
Autumn: 17/8 1 over the Headland and 17/11 1 over the Headland
Golden Plover
Autumn: Recorded on 6 dates from 22/8 to 27/11 with a daily max: 17/11 (6 over Headland).
Autumn: 6/11 2 (1 taken by a Peregrine on the Headland and 1 Long Down) and 11/11 1 Long Down.
Whimbrel
Autumn: 13/7 1 in off the sea and 4/8 1 E.
Curlew
Autumn: 30/7 5W, 7/8 1 flew over the top fields, 1/9 4W over the top fields and then flew out to sea.
Great Skua
Autumn: 30/7 (1).
Mediterranean Gull
Autumn: 4/8 1 ad. E off Birling.
Little Gull
Autumn: 3/11 1 juv. E off Birling Gap @ 08.05
Caspian Gull
Autumn: 8/9 1 cy. In fields at Birling (J.Partridge).
Our 2nd record
Yellow-legged Gul
Autumn: 1 juv. above the cliffs at the Old Trapping Area.
Sandwich Tern
Autumn (No sea-watching was carried out this Autumn). 13/9 1 off Birling.
Auk Sp.
Autumn: 31/10 12 E and 3 W.
Stock Dove
Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates from 5/9 (2) to 17/11. Daily maxs: 20/10 10 E with Wood Pigeons, 29/10 11 on the Headland and 17/11 50 over the Headland.
Wood Pigeon
Autumn: Recorded throughpout the Autumn with upto 50 present in Whitbread Hollow and similar numbers on the Headland. Movements recorded from late October with daily maxs: 20/10 (150W and 80 E), 21/10 (400), 24/10 (250 over Whitbread Hollow, 29/10 (300 over Birling and 17/11 (200 over the Headland).
Turtle Dove
Autumn: 26/8 ( 1 Old Trapping Area), 13/9 (1 on the Headland) and 22/9 (1 Shooters Bottom departed W).
Collared Dove
Autumn: Just recorded on 5 dates from 31/7 to 22/10 with only 5 birds seen.
Cuckoo
Autumn: Just 3 sigthtings, 3/7 1 juv Shooters Bottom, 4/8 and 9/8 1 Old Trapping Area.
Barn Owl
1/9 One flushed from the Cattle Field above Whitbread Hollow. (RAB).
Just our 8th record since 1960.
Tawny Owl
Autumn: No further sightings were logged for Belle Tout wood, but up to 3 present in Whitbread Hollow/Holywell area all Autumn.
Short-eared Owl
Autumn: Recorded on four dates: 25/8 2 (1
Headland and 1 Crowlink), 22/10 1 Shooters Bottom, 29/10 1 out to sea flying
past Cow Gap, 22/11 1 sitting on a fence along the road near Shooters Bottom.
Nightjar
One seen feeding
around Belle Tout wood @ 20.20 hrs on the 1/9 (LP)
Our 11th record since 1960.
Our 11th record since 1960.
Swift
Autumn: Recorded on 14 dates from 3/7 (c40 E ) to
13/9 (1). Daily maxs: 29/7 60W and 3/8 c550+ (150W during the morning and 400+
feeding over the top fields during the evening).
Swift on migration over Birling
Green Woodpecker
Autumn: Chiefly singles seen throughout the
Autumn on both the Headland and in Whitbread Hollow with just one day when 3
were seen on the 14/8 with 2 on the Headland and 1 in Whitbread Hollow. A
single juvenile was seen in the Belle Tout/Birling area during the Autumn.
Sadly Green Woodpeckers are now in decline on the Headland
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Autumn: Recorded on 24 dates from 5/8 to 29/10.
Chiefly singles but never more than two on a day with just the odd juvenile
bird was seen. Records from both Whitbread Hollow and the Headland and
individuals are often seen flying from one site to another.
Juvenile Great-spotted Woodpecker flying between sites on the Headland.
Wryneck
Woodlark
Autumn: 3 moving over the Headland on the 20/10. (ASC).
Skylark
Autumn: Movements: 5/10 15 E, 14/10 20 E, 20/10 c40 E. Only low numbers found feeding in the set-a-side field as follows: 26/9 (25), 9/10 (30), 22/10 (70) and 4/12 (30).
Swallow
Autumn: Recorded on 48 dates from 3/7 to 14/11 (2W). July and Aug: Only low numbers recorded with max. of 40 on a day until the 31/8 when 2,000 moved E.
Sept to Nov: Daily
maxs: 3/9 c700 chiefly E, 25/9 2,000 chiefly E and 26/9 2,000 E. Numbers then
dropped off.
Generally a very
disappointing Spring and Autumn passage considering observer coverage was good
during the Autumn.
Swallows resting up along Birling lane before their long migration.
House Martin
Autumn: Recorded on thirty dates from 14/8 (1)
to 15/10 (6), with daily maxs: 3/9 (500 chiefly E), 10/9 915 (315 W and 600
present in the Hollow), 24/9 (2,000 chiefly W), 25/9 (c6,000 chiefly W, with
two counts made showing birds were passing at the rate of 250 per minute on a broad
front). 30/9 600 (500+ Whitbread Hollow
and 100 on the Headland).
House Martins feeding near the cliff edge at Birling whilst on migration.
Autumn: Recorded on 25 dates from 29/6 (12) to 26/9 (8). A
total of just 267 bird-days logged with a daily max of 40 on the 31/8.
A
very poor Autumn and must be one of our poorest to date, after another early start
at the end of June.
Sand Martin having a short rest whilst on migration at Birling.
Raven
Autumn: Odd birds recorded throughout, with the following parties: 13/7 5 juvenile types feeding on the beach at Birling, 11/8 6, 24/10 8(3 Hollow and 5 Headland). Probably 2-3 pairs breeding on the cliffs.
Magpie
Good numbers were again present throughout the year. On the 20/10 a party of 16 flew high over the Headland moving W.
Jay
Autumn: The pair was again present in Whitbread Hollow area during the Autumn, with 3 there on the 3/10. Odd birds were also recorded from the Headland as follows: 14/9 3 (2 Cow Gap and 1 Shooters Bottom which departed E), 26/9 2 (1 Shooters Bottom and 1 Old Trapping Area), 9/10 1 Cattle Field, 16/10 1 Hotel Garden.
Coal Tit
Autumn: 9/11 One seen briefly in Belle Tout wood but was not identified as to race.
Long-tailed Tit
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 18/8 to 16/10 but never more than 6 on a day, with most records coming from the Whitbread Hollow area.
Nuthatch
Autumn: 31/8 One toured around the Headland and visited the Old Trapping Area, Shooters Bottom and the toilet block bushes.
Our
14th record since 1960.
Nuthatch near the Hotel Garden-just our 14th record and rarer
on Beachy Head than Pallas's Leaf Warbler.
Tree Creeper
2018: Autumn: What was assumed to be the same
bird was present in Belle Tout wood from 9/9 to 4/12.
Tree Creeper in Belle Tout wood.
Wren
Autumn: Reasonable numbers present, but no specific counts
were made, although probably no more than 10 on a day.
27 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn.
Ringing recovery:Aged 3 ringed 23/9/17, ring found, Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield, Notts, 18/4/18.
Wren in Belle Tout wood.
Who would have thought that a Wren ringed in Whitbread
Ringing recovery:Aged 3 ringed 23/9/17, ring found, Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield, Notts, 18/4/18.
Wren in Belle Tout wood.
Who would have thought that a Wren ringed in Whitbread
Hollow in September, 2017 would have had its ring
recovered in April, 2018 in Nottinghamshire.
Mistle Thrush
Autumn: Again just a single bird seen on the 4/11 which flew
over Belle Tout.
Fieldfare
Autumn: Recorded on 5 dates with a total of just
66 bird-days from 22/10 (1E) to 4/12 (60
feeding on berries at Long Down).
Fieldfare in the pine clump at Birling
Song Thrush
Autumn: Small numbers recorded throughout the Autumn. Daily
maxs: 26/9 12 present in the early morning, 20/10 16 present mainly in Shooters
Bottom.
17 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn
including several continental migrants.
Song Thrush in Shooters Bottom
Redwing
Autumn: Logged on 8 dates With a total of 121 bird-days from
8/10 (9), to 4/12 (50).
Ring Ouzel
Autumn: Recorded on 16 dates from 25/9 to 4/12 with a total
of 33 bird-days. Daily maxs: 17/10 8 ( 6 Old Trapping Area and 2 Shooters Bottom)
and 18/10 (5 along the Cliff Path).
Poorish
Autumn. Two previous December records in the 1960’s with our latest being on
the 8th December.
Ring Ouzel in Shooters Bottom
Blackbird
Autumn: Small numbers recorded throughout the Autumn. Influxes
as follows: 4/10 25 nearly all males were present in Shooters Bottom, 9/10 25
of which 20 were present in Whitbread Hollow, on the 14/10 and 20/10, 30 were
present on the Headland, 16/11 50 of which 15 were in Whitbread Hollow and 35
on the Headland.
19 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn.
Wheatear
Autumn: Recorded on 35 dates from 4/8 to 22/10 with a total
of 150 bird-days with Daily maxs: 23/8 (14), 26/8 (14) and 5/9 (16).
Another poor showing this Autumn.
Wheatear at Birling Gap
Stonechat
Autumn: Present throughout, although only a few juvenile
birds were seen in July and numbers recorded during the Autumn were on the low
side. On the 12/8 (14) were logged and on the 12/9 12 were logged. On the 4/12
a pair were present in the set-aside field.
Female Stonechat collecting food in Shooters Bottom.
Whinchat
Autumn: Recorded on 21 dates from 11/7 to 26/9 with a total of 108 bird-days with daily maxs: 4/9 (11), 10/9 (21), and 16/9 (15).
Autumn: Recorded on 21 dates from 11/7 to 26/9 with a total of 108 bird-days with daily maxs: 4/9 (11), 10/9 (21), and 16/9 (15).
Our
best Autumn since 2006 when a total of 144 bird-days were recorded.
Whinchat at Birling Gap
Common RedstartAutumn: Recorded on 21 dates from 4/8 to 9/10, with a total of just 51 bird-days with daily maxs: 5 on the 25/8, 26/8 and 30/8.
Male Redstart in the Hotel Garden
Female Redstart in Shooters Bottom
Black Redstart
Autumn: Recorded on 10 dates from 31/7 to 18/10, with a total of 12 bird-days with daily maxs. of 2 on the 22/9, 5/10 and 18/10. This probably involved 11 different individuals. (RHC only recorded a single bird in Hodcombe during the Autumn although he was away for some of this time).
Of interest, two very juvenile plumage birds were seen
one on the 31/7 in The Hotel Garden
and 1 on the 4/8 at Birling, which may involved local breeding.
Male Black Redstart at Birling Gap.
Juvenile Black Redstart in the Hotel Garden.
Nightingale
Autumn: Recorded on 11 dates from 6/7 (an early adult migrant was calling a lot and also a short song burst and showed well in Shooters Bottom) to 21/8. A total of 13 bird-days, probably involving 9 different individuals with a daily max of 3 (2 Shooters Bottom and 1 in Whitbread Hollow).
6 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn.
1styr. Nightingale in Shooters Bottom
Autumn: Recorded throughout with daily maxs: 26/9 20 on the Headland, 5/10 20 present on the whole area, 9/10 18 with 10 in the Hollow and 8 on the Headland, 14/10 20 on the Headland.
58 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn.
Cetti's Warbler
One present at Birling lane from 16/11 to 23/11 photo (LP. RDME).
Our latest date
Grasshopper Warbler
Autumn: Recorded on 21 dates from 23/7 (2) to 22/9 (1). A total of 50 bird-days
With daily maxs: 1/8 (5), 11/8 (5), 26/8 (6) 30/8 (5). Again Whitbread Hollow recorded most of these records with the majority being trapped and ringed by the BHRG. On the 2/9 the gropper field in Cow Gap was visited and 4 birds were seen.
38 were ringed this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
Our
best Autumn for some time.
Grasshopper Warbler in Shooters Bottom.
Autumn: Recorded on 37 dates from 15/7 (2) to 16/10 (1). A total of 271 bird-days with daily maxs: 5/8 44 (9 Headland and 35 Hollow), 11/8 16 (9 Headland, 7 Hollow), 21/8 21 (20 Hollow and 1 Headland), 25/8 22 (20 Hollow, 2 Headland)
1/9 19 (15 Hollow 4 Headland).
98 were ringed this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
Three ringing recoveries:
Age 3 ringed 13/8/17 controlled Wilstone Reservoir, near Tring, Herts 1/7/18.
Age 3 ringed 20/9/14 controlled Waterham, Kent 30/6/18 and 19/7/18.
Age 3 ringed 24/7/18 at Titchfield Haven NNR, Hants controlled 5/8/18.
No repeat of last
years record year, when 417 bird-days were logged
1stW Reed Warbler at Birling Gap.
1stW Reed Warbler in the Hotel Garden.
Sedge Warbler
Autumn: Recorded on 30 dates from 18/7 (2) to 20/10 (1). A total of 72 bird-days with daily maxs:
2/8 15 (14 Headland and 1 Hollow), 17/8 8 (6 Headland and 1 Hollow).
18 were ringed this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
An average Autumn by
recent standards, although for comparison in 1976 265 bird-days were logged
during the Autumn. Our latest date occurred on the 21/10/2002.
Sedge Warbler in the scrub at Birling
One present in the Toilet block bushes before moving to the Hotel Garden from 20/8 to 25/8.
Spent
6 days and our 38th record since 1960.
Melodious Warbler in the Hotel Garden
Dartford Warbler
Autumn: Singles reported on 5 dates from 25/10 to 17/11 in the gorse area between Belle Tout and Birling Gap and probably related to a single bird.
Blackcap
Autumn: Recorded on
67 dates from 3/7 (1) to 15/11 (1). A total of 2,696 bird-days with Daily Maxs:
26/8 (150), 4/9 (110), 6/9 (125), 8/9 (111), 22/9 (403), 24/9 (111), 25/9 (370),
27/9 (150).
A total of 874 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow
Five ringing
recoveries:
Age 3 male ringed
21/8/18 controlled Sandwich Bay, Kent
2/9/18.
Age 3 juv. male
ringed 30/6/18 at Eccles-on-Sea Norfolk controlled 1/9/18 as a female.Age 3 juv. female ringed 20/8/17 controlled Bondhay Farm, Whitwell, Derby 25/9/18.
Female ringed
7/9/14 controlled Portland Bill, Dorset 13/4/18
Age 3 male ringed
1/9/18 controlled Mickley Sq. Northumberland 8/9/18.
Generally a poorish Spring and this probably reflected on
the numbers seen during the Autumn, and
as usual most birds were recorded in Whitbread Hollow.
Male Blackcap feeding on the ground in Belle Tout wood.
Garden Warbler
Autumn: Recorded on 18 dates from
24/7 to 10/9 with a total of just 40 bird-days. Daily Max: 28/8 8 (2 in the Old
Trapping Area and 6 Hollow).
32 were ringed this Autumn in
Whitbread Hollow
A very poor showing in both Spring and Autumn with only 40 bird-days this Autumn, and back in the 1960’s and 70’s the average Autumn bird-days toal was in the region of 700, and in 1970 the Autumn total was 1,323 bird-days
A very poor showing in both Spring and Autumn with only 40 bird-days this Autumn, and back in the 1960’s and 70’s the average Autumn bird-days toal was in the region of 700, and in 1970 the Autumn total was 1,323 bird-days
Garden Warbler in Shooters Bottom.
Lesser Whitethroat
Autumn: Recorded on 38 dates from 3/7 to 16/9. A total of
130 bird-days with a daily max of 12 on the 17/8 (9 on the Headland and 3 in
the Hollow).
Just 5 were ringed this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow and for
comparison a total of 320 were ringed in 1975 in Whitbread Hollow.
Lesser Whitethroat in the Old Trapping Area.
Common Whitethroat
Autumn: Recorded on 49 dates from 6/7 to 26/9 with a total of 1,407 bird-days. Daily maxs: 17/8 120 (90 Headland and 30 Hollow), 26/8 160 (100 Hollow and 60 Headland), 28/8 110 (80 Headland and 30 Hollow).
91 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn.
Willow Warbler
Autumn: Recorded on 43 dates from 18/7 (1) to 24/9 (1). A total
of 986 bird-days with daily maxs: 17/8 145 (115 Headland 30 Hollow) and 22/8
c100 Headland.
123 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn.
Chiffchaff
Autumn: Recorded on
63 dates from 9/7 (1) to 16/11 (1). A total of 2,980 bird-days with Daily maxs:
14/9 100 (50 Hollow and 50 Headland), 25/9 450 (400 Hollow and 50 Headland),
3/10 200 in the Hollow.
742 were ringed this
Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
Four ringing
recoveries:
Age 4 ringed 27/10/17
controlled at Rye Meads, 1/1/18.
Age 3 ringed
3/11/17 controlled Alnwick, Northumberland 13/4/18.
Age 3 ringed
30/9/18 found dead at Villava, Navarra, Spain 10/10/18.
Age 3 juv ringed
18/8/18 at Birtley Sewage Farm, Tyne and Wear, controlled 17/10/18.
Generally a poor Spring migration as with other migrants, but an excellent Autumn with some large falls of migrants.
Siberian Chiffchaff
Autumn: 4/11 1 Long Down photo (LP)
Our
9th record since 1960.
Wood Warbler
Autumn: 25/8 1 trapped Whitbread Hollow.
Yellow-browed Warbler
Autumn: 8/10 1 Hodcombe (RHC), 14/10 1 Hodcombe (RHC), 18/10
1 Holywell (AR, KH, RKH, RES, JFC), 22/10 to 24/10 1 Long Down (LP), 29/10 1
calling Birling (LP, JP), 4/11 1 Belle Tout wood (LP), 5/11 1 Old Trapping Area
briefly (LP)
Seven
different individuals and now brings our total to 104 birds.
Pallas's Leaf Warbler
2018:5/11 to 6/11
One in the Old Trapping Area although quite elusive. (LP, RHC, JFC et al).
Our 52nd record since 1960.
Goldcrest
Autumn: Recorded on
23 dates from 14/8 (1) to 4/12 (2). A total of 543 bird-days. Daily maxs: 21/10
(42), 4/11 (80), 9/11 (155), 11/11 c80. RHC also had good numbers in Hodcombe
during this period.
114 were ringed this
Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
Again a terrible Spring with just odd birds seen,
but a very good late Autumn and the totals would have been higher as fewer
visits by birders are made in November.
Firecrest
Autumn:
Recorded on 15 dates from 1/9 (1) to 17/11 (1) and with a total of 20
bird-days. Probably involving 17 different individuals. with a daily max: 5/11 (4).
3 birds
were ringed this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow compared with 16 last year.
An
average Spring and Autumn.
Firecrest in Belle Tout wood.
Spotted Flycatcher
Autumn: Recorded
on 11 dates from 20/8 to 29/9 with a total of 24 bird-days. Daily maxs: 20/8 7
(6 Headland and 1 Hollow), 22/8 3 Headland and 26/9 3 Belle Tout wood.
Just 1 was ringed
this Autumn in Whitbread Hollow.
A poor year, for comparison in the Autumn of 1977,
we recorded 242 bird-days with a daily max of 60 on the 8/9/77, and as many as
47 were ringed by the BHRG in Whitbread Hollow.
Spotted Flycatcher in Belle Tout wood.
Pied Flycatcher
Autumn: Recorded on 16 dates from
3/8 to 22/10. A total of 25 bird-days with daily maxs: 3/8 (3) and 4/8 (5). Probably
19 different individual birds involved.
Just 1 was ringed in Whitbread
Hollow this Autumn.
An improvement on last Autumn, but still very poor numbers compared
with our earlier years. Our latest date was on the 1/11/68.
In 1975, between 1/8 to 15/8 up to 8-10 migrants per day were passing
through Hodcombe and 40 were ringed at this site during this period, and proved
that there is a fast turnover of migrant Pied Flycatchers and this confirms
that birds do not linger long because of the turnover with the number of birds
being ringed.
A
total of 10 Pied Flycatchers were also ringed in nearby Whitbread Hollow during
this same period, and a crude estimate of 150 Pied Flycatchers passed through
Beachy Head area during these 15 days which included the 50 which were ringed.
Without ringing taking place, this estimate would probably have been a lot lower.
Pied Flycatcher in the Hotel Garden
Hedge Sparrow
Autumn and good numbers were present all Autumn but no
counts made.
26 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn.
Meadow Pipit
Autumn: Low numbers present until mid-September. Daily maxs: First influx was on the 13/9 when 230 were recorded which included 60 came in off the sea. 22/9 1,050 were logged with 1,000 W with 40 feeding in the set-aside field and just 10 in Whitbread Hollow. 24/9 200 of which 150 moved over the Headland and 50 were feeding in the top fields. Numbers then dropped off with 90 on the 14/10 of which 60 E and 30 on the Headland.
Autumn: Low numbers present until mid-September. Daily maxs: First influx was on the 13/9 when 230 were recorded which included 60 came in off the sea. 22/9 1,050 were logged with 1,000 W with 40 feeding in the set-aside field and just 10 in Whitbread Hollow. 24/9 200 of which 150 moved over the Headland and 50 were feeding in the top fields. Numbers then dropped off with 90 on the 14/10 of which 60 E and 30 on the Headland.
Richards Pipit
Autumn: 25/9 1 in flight Birling area (C.Holt), 14/10 1 E
@ 08.20 near Birling with Meadow Pipits (MM), 17/10 1 flew over the Old
Trapping Area calling (KH, RKH, RES. NP), 29/10 1 flyover between Birling and
Belle Tout @ 07.20 (J.Partridge).
Probably all relates to a single bird. Our 11th record and the first this century.
Tawny Pipit
One near Birling 17/9 (C.Holt)
Our first record since 2002.
Probably all relates to a single bird. Our 11th record and the first this century.
Tawny Pipit
One near Birling 17/9 (C.Holt)
Our first record since 2002.
Tree Pipit
Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates from 17/8 (2) to 14/9 (1). A total of 17 bird-days with the daily max of 10 on the 13/9.
Autumn: Just recorded on 6 dates chiefly at Birling with a daily max of 3 on the 20/8. Also 2 were present around a pond at Hodcombe on the 21/10.
Pied Wagtail
Autumn: Recorded in fairly low numbers throughout the Autumn and generally a poor diurnal
passage recorded. Daily maxs: 28/9 (18), 10/10 (54E) and 14/10 (32 E).
White Wagtail
Autumn: 5/10 1 at Birling. (identified from photos) SL and JG.
Grey Wagtail
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 28/8 (2) to 22/10 (1E) with a total of 12 bird-days.
Yellow Wagtail
Autumn: Recorded on 18 dates from 17/8 to 10/10 with a total of 204 bird-days. Daily maxs: 26/8 (22) and 12/9 (54W at dusk).
Isabelline Shrike
Autumn: 2/11 One spent around 2-3 hours in scrub on the slope between Birling and Belle Tout and was considered to belong to the Daurian race. photographed (CB et al)
Our first record and the third for Sussex.
Starling
Autumn: August: On the Headland 4/8 80, by the 5/8 1,000 were now present, 7/8 800 by 11/8 just
50, 28/8 120.
September: Headland 1/9 400 otherwise 300 in the top fields for the rest of the month.
16/10 160 W, 20/10 100 W, 1/11 300 present in the set-aside field.
Strange influxes in early August and these birds were out in the top fields but also flew in one
flock into Shooters Bottom.
Greenfinch
Autumn: Just recorded on 6 dates from 1/8 to 16/10 with a total of 23 birds. Movements: 14/10 9E and 16/10 10 E.
Goldfinch
Autumn movements: 14/10 230 (160E and 70 on Headland), 16/10 445 (295E and 150 on Headland), 14/11 150W, 17/11 300 E.
Siskin
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 24/9 (1W) to 4/12 (2), with a total of 57 bird-days. Daily max: 29/10 (25 over Headland).
A slight improvement from our last two Autumns but no repeat of 2015 when we recorded 766 bird-days.
Linnet
Autumn: Up to 60 present daily during July to September. On the 5/10 a flock of 300 present in the set-aside field, but by the 9/10 only 90 left.
Diurnal movements: 10/10 230 E, 14/10 190 E, 16/10 120 E, 31/10 100 E.
Lesser Redpoll
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 5/10 (6) to 17/11 (1E), with a total of just 54 bird-days. Daily maxs: 20/10 (14 Hollow) and 21/10 (15 Hollow).
28 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn and all the birds which were trapped for ringing purposes proved to belong to the British race.
A poor Autumn.
Bullfinch
Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates in Whitbread Hollow from 11/8 to 2/11 but never more than 2 on a day. A single male was also seen in the Hotel Garden on the 16/10.
Chaffinch
Autumn: Recorded throughout the Autumn with up to 25 on the Headland. Movements: 14/10 18 E,
16/10 8E and 29/10 c200 passing overhead on the Headland.
Brambling
Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates from 15/10 to 27/11 involving 14 birds with a daily max of 7 on the 29/10.
Yellowhammer
Autumn: Just a single record on the 12/8 of 1 on the Headland.
What used to be one of our commonest birds on Beachy Head with an estimated breeding population of 120 breeding pairs, back in the 1960’s and 70’s, it may be no longer breeding on Beachy Head.
Corn Bunting
Autumn: Recorded throughout with 50+ present in the Birling area on the 22/8. Once again reasonable numbers have been present in the set-aside field opposite Belle Tout wood later in the Autumn: 9/10 (50), 22/10 (35), and 8/11 (25).
Our 43rd record since 1960.
Reed Bunting
House Sparrow
Autumn: 7/8 20+ Birling, 17/8 3 in the Hotel Garden departed high to the N., 1/9 40+ Birling, 20/9 c20 along Cornish Farm track, 5/10 30 Birling.
Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates from 17/8 (2) to 14/9 (1). A total of 17 bird-days with the daily max of 10 on the 13/9.
Tree Pipit near the |Hotel Garden.
Autumn: Just recorded on 6 dates chiefly at Birling with a daily max of 3 on the 20/8. Also 2 were present around a pond at Hodcombe on the 21/10.
Pied Wagtail
Autumn: Recorded in fairly low numbers throughout the Autumn and generally a poor diurnal
passage recorded. Daily maxs: 28/9 (18), 10/10 (54E) and 14/10 (32 E).
White Wagtail
Autumn: 5/10 1 at Birling. (identified from photos) SL and JG.
Grey Wagtail
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 28/8 (2) to 22/10 (1E) with a total of 12 bird-days.
Yellow Wagtail
Autumn: Recorded on 18 dates from 17/8 to 10/10 with a total of 204 bird-days. Daily maxs: 26/8 (22) and 12/9 (54W at dusk).
Fair numbers were also being reported from Cornish
Farm area during the Autumn but no actual count made.
Yellow Wagtail at Birling.
Autumn: 2/11 One spent around 2-3 hours in scrub on the slope between Birling and Belle Tout and was considered to belong to the Daurian race. photographed (CB et al)
Our first record and the third for Sussex.
Starling
Autumn: August: On the Headland 4/8 80, by the 5/8 1,000 were now present, 7/8 800 by 11/8 just
50, 28/8 120.
September: Headland 1/9 400 otherwise 300 in the top fields for the rest of the month.
16/10 160 W, 20/10 100 W, 1/11 300 present in the set-aside field.
Strange influxes in early August and these birds were out in the top fields but also flew in one
flock into Shooters Bottom.
Greenfinch
Autumn: Just recorded on 6 dates from 1/8 to 16/10 with a total of 23 birds. Movements: 14/10 9E and 16/10 10 E.
Goldfinch
Autumn movements: 14/10 230 (160E and 70 on Headland), 16/10 445 (295E and 150 on Headland), 14/11 150W, 17/11 300 E.
Siskin
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 24/9 (1W) to 4/12 (2), with a total of 57 bird-days. Daily max: 29/10 (25 over Headland).
A slight improvement from our last two Autumns but no repeat of 2015 when we recorded 766 bird-days.
Linnet
Autumn: Up to 60 present daily during July to September. On the 5/10 a flock of 300 present in the set-aside field, but by the 9/10 only 90 left.
Diurnal movements: 10/10 230 E, 14/10 190 E, 16/10 120 E, 31/10 100 E.
Lesser Redpoll
Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates from 5/10 (6) to 17/11 (1E), with a total of just 54 bird-days. Daily maxs: 20/10 (14 Hollow) and 21/10 (15 Hollow).
28 were ringed in Whitbread Hollow this Autumn and all the birds which were trapped for ringing purposes proved to belong to the British race.
A poor Autumn.
Bullfinch
Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates in Whitbread Hollow from 11/8 to 2/11 but never more than 2 on a day. A single male was also seen in the Hotel Garden on the 16/10.
Chaffinch
Autumn: Recorded throughout the Autumn with up to 25 on the Headland. Movements: 14/10 18 E,
16/10 8E and 29/10 c200 passing overhead on the Headland.
Brambling
Autumn: Recorded on 7 dates from 15/10 to 27/11 involving 14 birds with a daily max of 7 on the 29/10.
Yellowhammer
Autumn: Just a single record on the 12/8 of 1 on the Headland.
What used to be one of our commonest birds on Beachy Head with an estimated breeding population of 120 breeding pairs, back in the 1960’s and 70’s, it may be no longer breeding on Beachy Head.
Corn Bunting
Autumn: Recorded throughout with 50+ present in the Birling area on the 22/8. Once again reasonable numbers have been present in the set-aside field opposite Belle Tout wood later in the Autumn: 9/10 (50), 22/10 (35), and 8/11 (25).
Corn Bunting at Birling
Ortolan Bunting
Autumn: 24/8 1 flew W calling over Hotel Garden. (L.P.)Our 43rd record since 1960.
Reed Bunting
Autumn: Recorded on 6 dates from 14/9 to 17/11 with a
total of 11 birds with daily max: 17/11 (4E).
Reed Bunting in the Hotel Garden
Autumn: 7/8 20+ Birling, 17/8 3 in the Hotel Garden departed high to the N., 1/9 40+ Birling, 20/9 c20 along Cornish Farm track, 5/10 30 Birling.
