I had the day off work so decided to bird Beachy Head. It was a clear, warm morning so wasn't expecting much. It turned out to be a good morning and exceeded expectations. Shortly after first light the hirundines started moving through and I put a rough estimate of c2500 House Martins over the headland. Heading towards Shooters Bottom, there were a few Siskins moving overhead and I found two Wheatears near Belle Tout Lighthouse.
Shooters Bottom held a few birds with around c50 Chiffchaffs and c20 Blackcaps as well as a Redstart and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats. I also saw a very smart Adder which I almost stepped on!! Upon arrival at the Old Trapping Area news came through of a Wryneck just round the corner so I headed up there and the bird was showing really nicely feeding out in the open on a path.
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| Wryneck, near the Old Trapping Area, Beachy Head, East Sussex |
After leaving the Wryneck, I had a short raptor watch from the Old Trapping Area with John and Doreen Cooper, Laurence Pitcher, Simon Linnington and Al Redman. It wasn't long before an Osprey passed through although was always quite distant. It went straight over Belle Tout Lighthouse and then out in to the English Channel. It was the second bird of the day after Simon had another bird earlier in the morning take much the same flight path. Sadly no Honey-buzzards but it felt like a good day for one!
Other totals from the morning included: c200 Swallows, c30 Sand Martins, c150 Meadow Pipits, two Peregrines, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, a Raven, two Buzzards, two Kestrels and a Clouded Yellow.
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