Worthing, Beachy Head and Ferring Rife

While I had a quick cup of coffee in the garden first thing, before heading out, I had seven Siskins, a Yellow Wagtail, three Grey Wagtails and a Meadow Pipit fly over.

Phil and I then spent the morning at Beachy Head, which was relatively quiet but made for a nice change of scenery and a satisfying walk. Most migrants were overhead, with a Tree Pipit, 24 Siskins, 15 Yellow Wagtails, 180 Meadow Pipits, 285 Swallows, seven Sand Martins and 40 House Martins. However, a female Redstart, a Lesser Whitethroat and 13 Whitethroats were among the birds in the bushes. A Peregrine, two Ravens, 16 Stonechats, three Fulmars, seven Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and 21 Oystercatchers were also seen.

We later followed up news from Clive Hope of a Wryneck at Ferring Rife but the bird had clearly either moved on or gone to ground. Gareth joined the search too. Five Mediterranean Gulls flew by, along with three Little Egrets, and two Turnstones were on the beach. A Sandwich Tern flew past offshore, six Swallows flew over and a couple of Chiffchaffs were in the bushes.

Beachy Head

It was pretty quiet for migrants this morning. Magnus, Will and I weren't on a 'proper' migrant hunt and covered limited ground but did see a Pied Flycatcher, a female Redstart, two Lesser Whitethroats, two Sandwich Terns, three Willow Warblers, two Ravens and mixed mass of House Martins, Swallows and Swift.

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...

Beachy Head

I was catching up with some desk-based work today when news came through of a subalpine warbler at Beachy Head. I wrapped things up pretty quickly and headed over there but somewhat predictably there was no sign of the bird in the couple of hours I gave it. A Peregrine sliced through the air overhead, a couple of Swallows flew through, a Lesser Whitethroat was in voice and a Raven was continually hassled by Carrion Crows.

Siberian Stonechat

This SIBERIAN STONECHAT at Birling Gap today was a real performer and good ID lesson, showing off its features at little more than 10-15 yards at times. This was the first time I've done some non-local birding for six weeks now! A Whinchat, a Raven and three Swallows added interest to the afternoon. I gave the patch a good go in the morning, with a/the Ring Ouzel and a/the Reed Bunting being the highlights.

Shaky video