Thursday 23 May 2019

Goring Gap, Highdown and Beachy Head

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...