A census of Goring Gap was predictably quiet until a male
Blue-headed Wagtail landed on the greensward in front of me as I headed back along the beach to the car. It was, of course, almost immediately flushed by a dog-walker and headed off west. Otherwise, it was terribly quiet for migrants and 'resident' bird activity was low. I noted two
Swifts and eight
Swallows flying overhead and a
Mediterranean Gull called.
Song Thrush and
Goldcrest were the most locally notable breeders in voice. A
Green Woodpecker yaffled and a pair of
Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in the Plantation. Four
Skylarks were in the fields. I'm not sure what the overflying pair of
Linnets were doing.
 |
| male Blue-headed Wagtail at Goring Gap |
I planned on raptor-watching from Highdown from late morning but only managed to get up there from about 2pm, logging a couple of
Red Kites and five or so
Buzzards, as well as a flypast
Grey Heron, a singing
Yellowhammer,
House Martin and three
Swifts.
An evening dash to Beachy Head following what turned out to be a suspicious report of yesterday's Crag Martin back on site produced singing
Corn Bunting and
Meadow Pipit, five
Swallows and a
Green Woodpecker but no beefy Mediterranean hirundine...
