Monday 29 December 2014

29 December 2014 Beachy Head Sharp frost becoming fine and sunny but cold N 2-3

With the onset of cold weather, we decided to visit Beachy today and covered The Birling to Belle Tout loop, Belle Tout wood, the Cornish farm rough field and Shooters Bottom. No real hard weather movement in progress although impressive numbers of Skylarks and Buntings in the rough field. Careful look for Dartfords in their usual sites but no sign of any.

Peregrine 2
Stock Dove 2
Tawny Owl 2
Skylark c500 in rough field.
Meadow Pipit 10
Fieldfare 10
Song Thrush 5
Goldfinch 3
Reed Bunting 1
Corn Bunting c30+ in rough field.

(taken by David Cooper)
One of the 10 Fieldfares seen today.

(taken by David Cooper)
Skylarks - c500 were present in the rough field

 




 Adult Peregrine over Shooters Bottom


Saturday 13 December 2014

13 Dec 2014 Beachy Head Fine Sunny with light but cold NE breeze

We called into Birling and spent around 2 hours walking the Birling loop also covering Belle Tout wood. Met up briefly with Chris Ball at Birling. Highlight of the morning was an adult male Dartford Warbler which showed very well in the gorse above Belle Tout wood.

Common Buzzard 1
Sparrowhawk 2
Tawny Owl 2
Rock Pipit 3
Meadow Pipit 2
Dartford Warbler 1 ad. male

Recent late news from RHC:
Two parties of Pink-feet between 15-20 Nov. A flock of 15 over Hodcombe and 2 days later a flock of c30 over Hodcombe. This second flock was also seen flying over Jevington, by birders watching the Rough-leg.
Our 4th and 5th records and the first since 1971, although a number of unidentified Grey Geese over the years have been seen some of which were considered to be Pink-feet.

Rough-legged Buzzard 5 Dec 1 flew past Hodcombe from 12.40-12.50 on the 5/12 and then departed W over cliffs at Shooters Bottom. (Considered the same bird which has been present at Jevington (5 miles from Hodcombe), and it was seen leaving high heading south a short while before being seen at Beachy.

Black Redstart Odd birds present around Hodcombe from late Nov. into early Dec.

Also a Dartford Warbler still present in Shooters Bottom on the 9 Dec (per LP).

Thursday 20 November 2014

20 Nov 2014 Beachy Head cloud 8/8 E 3/4 cool at first

Bob covered Birling lane and then Birling to Belle Tout loop and Belle Tout wood also Shooters Bottom. SL also covered the Birling to Shooters Bottom area.
Little evidence of any new migrants with the juv. Dartford Warbler still present, and just low numbers of diurnal migration recorded.
Combined Totals as below:

Peregrine 2
Golden Plover 1 E
Tawny Owl 2
Rock Pipit 2
Meadow Pipit 10 E
Stonechat 2
Blackbird 21
S Thrush 4
Redwing 1
Dartford Warbler 1 juv.
Chiffchaff 2
Goldcrest 2
Goldfinch 70 E
Raven 2
Corn Bunting 2 in song

Wednesday 19 November 2014

19 Nov 2014 Beachy Head Overcast mild SE 1-2

We covered all the main sites on the Headland including the Cliff Path. 2 Black Redstarts were still present at Birling but otherwise the area was very quiet although still a steady passage of Goldfinches moving east.

Brent Goose 12 over Shooters Bottom and Hodcombe
Peregrine 1
Skylark 40
Rock Pipit 3
Robin 15
Black Redstart 2
Redwing 1
Song Thrush 6
Goldcrest 2
Raven 3
Goldfinch 380 E

Late news for the 18 Nov:
Wood Lark 1 over Shooters Bottom
Black Redstart 4 at Birling
Dartford Warbler 1
Blackcap 1
Chiffchaff 1



Rock Pipit at Birling

 

Party of 12 Brents flying over Shooters Bottom.


Our white-headed Blackbird which we occasionally see only in
the Hotel Garden over the last 5 years or so.

Monday 17 November 2014

16 Nov 2014 Beachy Head Overcast with showers cool.

RJF and JK were birding some of the sites on the Headland meeting up with RDME and also AQ and MEN. Still small numbers of migrants seen with a reasonable passage of Woodpigeons and Goldfinches . A late Swallow was also seen and the Dartford Warbler was still present.
Combined totals as follows:

Grey Heron 1
Sparrowhawk 1
Common Buzzard 1
Kestrel 1
Peregrine 2
Lapwing 5
Wood Pigeon 4,200 E
Tawny Owl 2
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark 50
Swallow 1 E
Rock Pipit 2
Wren 19
Robin 10
Black Redstart 3
Stonechat 7
Dartford Warbler 1
Blackcap 2
Chiffchaff 2
Goldcrest 13
Siskin 2 E
Goldfinch 470 E
Corn Bunting 1 singing



Saturday 15 November 2014

15th November 2014 Beachy Head SE1 Rain at first

We arrived to rain so sat in the car for an hour before covering Birling Gap Lane and the Belle Tout Loop.
Black Redstart 2
Stonechat 2
Fieldfare 1
Song Thrush 12
Chiffchaff 2
Goldcrest 5


Black Redstart at Birling Gap


Sunday 9 November 2014

9 Nov 2014 Beachy Head Overcast at first becoming brighter later SW 1

We met up with JK, RJF and MK at Birling and covered all the main sites on the Headland. RDME visited Whitbread Hollow, Cow Gap and the Gully as well as several sites on the Head.
Reasonable arrival of Thrushes (including 6 Ring Ouzels) and Robins, with small numbers of other migrants including the Yellow-browed Warbler showing on and off in Belle Tout wood, and a juvenile type Dartford Warbler. A few Goldfinches moving east with a Short-eared Owl and Marsh Harrier both departing east.
Combined totals as follows:

Common Buzzard 2
Marsh Harrier 1 E @ 11.35
Tawny Owl 2
Short-eared Owl 1 S and then drifted off E @ 10.45
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark c50 with c 25 moving over the area.
Rock Pipit 2
Robin c45
Stonechat 2
Blackbird c50
Ring Ouzel 6 in Cow Gap.
Redwing 5
Song Thrush 20
Dartford Warbler 1
Yellow-browed Warbler 1 B/T wood
Chiffchaff 7
Goldcrest 6
Goldfinch c100 (70 W)
Siskin 6 W
Redpoll 1
Bullfinch 2
Corn Bunting 1 singing.


 



 

Juvenile type Dartford Warbler above Belle Tout wood.



 Redwing near Belle Tout wood.


(taken by David Cooper)
Short-eared Owl over Hodcombe


Saturday 8 November 2014

8 Nov 2014 Beachy Head Overcast cool SSW 8

Gale force winds and we sea-watched from Birling from 08.00-09.00 and from below Cow Gap from 10.30-12.15. Also covered Belle Tout wood and the walk from Holywell to the Gully below Cow Gap. Met up with LP int the Gully.

Great-crested Grebe 1 E
Fulmar 2
Gannet 140 W
Little Egret 6+ off Birling
Brent Goose 43 W
Common Scoter 5 W
Red-legged Partridge 3
Curlew 1 W
Pomarine Skua 2 W @ 10.50 (1 Ad @ 1 Juv)
Arctic Skua 1 W
Bonxie 3 W
Mediterranean Gull 1 Ad w/p W
Common Gull 20 W
Herring Gull 350 resting in fields near Birling.
Kittiwake 120 W
Guillemot 8 W
Tawny Owl 2
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Rock Pipit 2
Stonechat 2
Goldcrest 2
Long-tailed Tit 6
Corn Bunting 5


( Both taken by David Cooper)
Little Egrets off Birling


 



Gannets off Cow Gap

Thursday 6 November 2014

6 Nov 2014 Beachy Head cloud 1/8 NW 2/3 to SW 2/3, cold at first

RDME went ringing in Whitbread Hollow again but not a lot of change from yesterday with the Cetti's being re-trapped and which now has become our latest date for Beachy. SL walked from Birling towards Crowlink and then covered the Belle Tout loop and wood. The Yellow-browed Warbler showed briefly on two occasions and a late Wheatear near Birling

Combined totals with birds ringed are shown in brackets.

Common Buzzard 1
Curlew 3 off Birling
Tawny Owl 2
Stock Dove 300 N off B/T wood
Dunnock 10
Wheatear 1
Cetti’s Warbler 1 (same bird re-trapped!)
Blackcap 1 (1)
Chiffchaff 5 (3)
Yellow-browed Warbler 1 B/T wood
Goldcrest 5 (1)
Long tailed Tit 8
Raven 1
Jay 3
Redpoll 1
Bullfinch 2 (1)

Wednesday 5 November 2014

5th Nov 2014 Beachy Head Cloud 6/8 wind NNW 5, cold

RDME was ringing in Whitbread Hollow and also visited Belle Tout wood, meeting up with several of the regular Beachy birders. Still small numbers of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs with a Firecrest and a Cetti's Warbler trapped.

Birds ringed are shown in brackets.

Woodpigeon 700 W
Tawny Owl 2 - 1 Hollow and 1 B/T Wood
Blackbird 10 (4)
Cetti’s Warbler 1 (1 – it was a male on wing length and weight).
Chiffchaff 6 (2)
Firecrest 1
Goldcrest 8 (1)
Long-tailed Tit 4
Raven 3
Bullfinch 2

taken by Bob Edgar)
Cetti's Warbler ringed in Whitbread Hollow.

Tuesday 4 November 2014

4 Nov 2014 Beachy Head Cloud 3/8, bright sun W2

RDME had a brief visit to Belle Tout wood and Shooters Bottom and LP also covered Holywell. Just a few late migrants including the Yellow-browed Warbler still in Bell Tout wood and Dartford Warbler in Shooters Bottom.

Tawny Owl 2
Kestrel 1
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Alba wag 1
Song Thrush 1
Dartford Warbler 1
Blackcap 3
Chiffchaff 3
Yellow-browed Warbler 1
Goldcrest 2
Firecrest 1

Red Admiral 1

Sunday 2 November 2014

2nd November 2014 Beachy Head SW6 with rain

SL visited Belle Tout wood around midday where the Yellow-browed Warbler was still occasionally showing.

Tawny Owl 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Green Woodpecker 1
Blackcap 1 female
Chiffchaff 1
Yellow-browed Warbler 1
Goldcrest 2

Yellow-browed Warbler at Belle Tout Wood


Saturday 1 November 2014

1 Nov 2014 Beachy Head Overcast with occasional light drizzle becoming fine and mild. SW 2-3

We met up with RJF, JK and MK at Birling and covered virtually all the sites on the Head meeting up with RDME at Belle Tout who had covered the Birling and Belle Tout area including Cornish Farm track. An interesting day with a Yellow-browed Warbler roaming the Belle Tout area with a small party of birds, a fine adult male Dartford Warbler which was out 6th different individual of the Autumn, and a Ring-necked Parakeet which is our first record since 2002. 500+ Wood Pigeons moved SW over the Headland with small numbers of Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches moving W.

Roger and Liz had a Great Grey Shrike at Hodcombe today

Sparrowhawk 1-2
Kestrel 1
Peregrine 3
Curlew 1 off Birling
Stock Dove c35
Wood Pigeon 500+ SW
Ring-necked Parakeet 1 over B/T wood (our first record since 2002).
Tawny Owl 2
Great-spotted Woodpecker 1
Great Grey Shrike 1 in Hodcombe.
Meadow Pipit 15 W
Alba Wagtail 4 W
Wren 10
Black Redstart 1
Stonechat 4
Ring Ouzel 3 N high over Cornish Farm
Dartford Warbler 1 ad male (Our 6th individual this Autumn)
Yellow-browed Warbler 1 B/T area with small flock of birds.
Chiffchaff 5
Goldcrest 5
Raven 3
Starling 200
Goldfinch 70 W
Reed Bunting 2 W
Corn Bunting 1 singing

Painted Lady 1

(taken by David Cooper)



Yellow-browed Warbler at Belle Tout



 


Weasel at Birling


Our three birding friends-JK, RJF and MK (who is over from
Trinidad), in Shooters Bottom


Friday 31 October 2014

31 Oct 2014 Beachy Head Very warm, wind S 3/4 cloud variable from 7/8 to 3/8 with bright sun

RDME again went ringing in Whitbread Hollow and also birded Belle Tout wood area. Again generally quiet with just a small passage of Woodpigeons west and another Firecrest was trapped in the Hollow.

Birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Sparrowhawk – 1 over Wood
Woodpigeon 400 W
Tawny Owl 2
Ring Ouzel 2
Blackcap 1 (1)
Chiffchaff 5
Goldcrest 14 (2)
Firecrest 1 (1)
Long-tailed Tit 5 (3)
Bullfinch 3
Wren 8

Red Admiral 2
Clouded Yellow 1

Thursday 30 October 2014

30 Oct 2014 Beachy Head very warm, cloud cover 7/8 to 1/8 Wind S/SW 3/4

RDME was ringing in Whitbread Hollow and also visited Belle Tout wood. Generally very quiet with the highlight being a Firecrest ringed in Whitbread Hollow. Nick Paul had 3 Black Redstarts at Birling (per SOS web-site).

Birds ringed are shown in brackets:

Brent Geese 30 W over top of the Hollow.
Tawny Owl 1
Black Redstart 3
Song Thrush 1
Blackcap 1
Chiffchaff 6 (4)
Goldcrest 2 (1)
Firecrest 1 (1)
Jay 3
Bullfinch 2
Corn Buntings 18 near Belle Tout wood.

Red Admiral 1


Tuesday 28 October 2014

28 Oct 2014 Beachy Head Fine and sunny cool at first S 4-5

RDME covered The Old Trapping Area, Shooters Bottom, Belle Tout Wood and Cornish Farm track, meeting up with SL who covered Birling Lane area, then Belle Tout wood to The Old Trapping Area via Shooters Bottom .LP also covered several sites on the Headland.  Generally very few migrants were seen but the Red-breasted Flycatcher was still performing and and ME had a Little Bunting briefly at 11.15 and then departed W calling.

Common Buzzard 2
Sparrowhawk 2
Peregrine 1
Tawny Owl 1
Golden Plover 20
Woodpigeon 100
Stock Dove 20
Swallow 2
Black Redstart 1
Red-breasted Flycatcher ad. male. 
Dartford Warbler 2
Goldcrest 2
Linnet 100 (in fields up Cornish track)
Goldfinch 150 E
Little Bunting 1 briefly in the Old Trapping Area before departing W. calling. (Just our second record).
Corn Bunting 1

(taken by Laurence Pitcher)
Dartford Warbler in Shooters Bottom

(Photo by Bob Edgar and Sarah McKenzie
Ring Ouzel trapped in Whitbread Hollow on the 26th Oct.

 
(taken by Bob Edgar/Sarah McKenzie)
Willow Warbler of the northern race - acredula 
trapped Whitbread Hollow on the 26th Oct.

Monday 27 October 2014

27 Oct 2014 Beachy Head Fine sunny and warm Light winds

ARK visited the Headland and birded most of the usual sites. Just a few migrants seen including a Black Redstart at Birling, the long staying adult male Red-breasted Flycatcher again stole the show and still around 1,000 Stock Doves present in the Cornish Farm area. John Marchant was also birding the Headland including above Cow Gap and has kindly provided details of his sightings which are included in the combined totals:

Common Buzzard 2
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 2
Peregrine 2
Stock Dove c1,000 still north of Cornish Farm.
Swallow 9
Black Redstart 2
Ring Ouzel 2
Chiffchaff 1
Red-breasted Flycatcher still present in the Old Trapping Area.

Painted Lady 1
Clouded Yellow 1

(taken by Alan Kitson)
Red-breasted Flycatcher twitch

(taken by Alan Kitson)
Part of the flock of 1,000 Stock Doves Cornish Farm area.

(taken by Alan Kitson)
Black Redstart at Birling.

(taken by Alan Kitson)
Weasel looking our of a burrow at Birling

(taken by Alan Kitson)
Painted Lady at the Old Trapping Area.

Sunday 26 October 2014

26th October 2014 Beachy Head W4 Overcast

A windy morning that had a wintry feel. Virtually no diurnal migration and very little in the area although perhaps surprisingly the male Red-breasted Flycatcher had remained in the Old Trapping Area. Bob, Sarah and Paul were again ringing in Whitbread Hollow and although not to many birds were trapped and an interesting selection including late Whinchat and Willow Warbler of the acredula race.
Combined totals with birds ringed in brackets.

Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 3
Merlin 1
Peregrine 3
Stock Dove 1,000+  heading NE behind Cornish Farm with c200 dropping into stubble.
Swallow 11
House Martin 40
alba Wagtail 6
Whinchat 1
Stonechat 12 (4)
Ring Ouzel 3 (1 )
Mistle Thrush 3
Blackcap 1 (1)
Willow Warbler 1 (1 – acredula race trapped)
Chiffchaff 16 (12)
Firecrest 1
Goldcrest 5 (1)
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1 male
Jay 3
Linnet 80
Goldfinch 100
Redpoll 10

Red Admiral 2
Adult male Red-breasted Flycatcher at the Old Trapping Area

Saturday 25 October 2014

25th October 2014 Beachy Head W1 Overcast

We met up with RJF & JWK at Birling and covered the lane, the Belle Tout loop and the Old Trapping Area where we saw ASC and GB who had covered the Hotel Garden and Shooters Bottom. RDME was ringing in Whitbread Hollow. RJF visited Crowlink in the afternoon. A good diurnal passage was dominated by Goldfinches  and a fair number of Skylarks, Bramblings and Reed Buntings moving west with a single calling Woodlark seen flying north over Belle Tout wood early in the afternoon. A total of four Dartford Warblers was a good count and Chiffchaff numbers chiefly in Whitbread Hollow remain strong for late October. The male Red-breasted Flycatcher remained performing well in the Old Trapping Area attracting twitchers from afar. Combined totals including birds trapped in brackets.
Common Buzzard 1
Merlin 2
Kestrel 2
Tawny Owl 3
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Wood Pigeon 330 S (including a leucistic individual)
Stock Dove 150 S
Swallow 26
House Martin 1
Skylark 65 W
Woodlark 1 N over Belle Tout at 2.15pm
Song Thrush 2
Blackbird 15
Ring Ouzel 2
Meadow Pipit 70 W
alba Wagtail 13 W
Black Redstart 1 Crowlink
Starling 20 W
Dartford Warbler 4
Blackcap 6 (2)
Chiffchaff 42 (20)
Goldcrest 12 (2)
Firecrest 1
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1 adult male
Wren 20 (4)
Robin 25
Raven 2
Jay 14 (including 12 W)
Siskin 10
Goldfinch 1,170 W
Greenfinch 6
Brambling 33
Bullfinch 3
Reed Bunting 25 chiefly W
Corn Bunting 2 singing
Red Admiral 6
Old Trapping Area twitch



Dartford Warbler at Belle Tout

Adult male Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Old Trapping Area


Jay moving over Belle Tout

 

 






Adult male Red-breasted Flycatcher performing well.