Beachy Head
Paul James and Group
An early (07.30) start with Paul and the group to check out the Beachy Head area for migrants . Weather conditions were excellent being dry and sunny with temperatures approaching 20C. The migrants turned out to be thin on the ground but we still managed to have an eventful morning out.
The highlight of the day, for me, was the spectacle of hundreds and hundreds of House Martins swirling along the cliff tops around Belle Tout. They were often flying low, whizzing past us in their droves, creating a great feeling of exhilaration.
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| Beachy Head House Martins Library picture |
The bird of the day was the Short-eared Owl seen flying and then perched at Shooters Bottom.
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| Short-eared Owl perched Library picture |
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| Short-eared Owl hunting Library picture |
Thankfully the views were excellent and everyone managed to observe the event.
We must have seen 50+ Stonechats throughout the morning, way above average for this area meaning that most of them were getting ready to migrate.
Another highlight for me was my first ever sighting of the Adonis Blue butterfly which to add to the great view of a Clouded Yellow.
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| Adonis Blue Butterfly Library picture |
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| Clouded Yellow Butterfly Library picture |
Today's species list:
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Lesser Whitethroat
Whitethroat
Blackcap
Sand Martin
House Martin
Swallow (10)
Meadow Pipit
Stonechat
Robin
Wheatear
Dunnock
Corn Bunting
Yellow Wagtail
Starling
Magpie
Jackdaw (20)
Rook
Carrion Crow
Raven
Green Woodpecker
Woodpigeon
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Cormorant
Gannet
Short-eared Owl (30)
Kestrel
Peregrine
A modest species count but some quality birds were seen.
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