08/09/2015 Into the 300 Club with a Honey Buzzard!

Tuesday 8th September 2015
Beachy Head, East Sussex
Paul and Group  (8)

Episode 3 of our hunt for migrant birds on the south coast took us to Beachy Head.  Starting at Birling Gap we headed east, taking the low level paths passing Horseshoe Plantation, spending some time at Shooters Bottom before turning at the Old Ringing Station and returning on the high level paths.

The migration was not happening in a big way, with lower than expected numbers of most species and an absence of some.  The outing however had a real surprise in store and it turned out to be a momentous one for me.  

• As we were approaching the Old Ringing Station, at the half way point, a Buzzard was spotted in the skies above us.  It was being chased by a couple of crows.  Gradually it dawned on us that it was, in fact, a Honey Buzzard!  After 25 to 30 hours spent this summer looking specifically for this species, there it was in all it's majesty flying east!  We could not have wished for a better view.  Thanks to John Cooper for allowing me to use his smashing images of the bird.

Honey Buzzard
Pictures courtesy of John Cooper

Honey Buzzard
Pictures courtesy of John Cooper

 

• The main migrants were Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Common Whitethroats and  Lesser Whitethroats as well as a couple of Wheatears and a Spotted Flycatcher.

• Migrating into the country, of course, at this time of the year are the Siskins and we saw plenty of evidence for this with several flocks seen overhead in the skies.

•  Hirundines were present, of course, with hundreds of Swallows, scores of House Martins and small numbers of House Martins. 

• Other birds of prey included Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine.

• On the sea the main activity involved Gannets and Fulmars.

• Other birds seen included a couple of Rock Pipits and a Skylark.

Butterflies Too!

Clouded Yellow
Library picture



Painted Lady
Library picture

Comma
Library picture

So pleased to join the 300 Club today and what a bird to bring it about!
 
So fitting it should be with Paul and Andrew who have been instrumental in all of this. 





Addition to BUBO Life List of UK Birds:
Honey Buzzard  (300)

Addition to BUBO 2015 UK Bird List:
Honey Buzzard   (252)

 

 

 

European honey-buzzard range

The European honey-buzzard is a highly migratory species, breeding in countries across Europe during the summer months, before migrating south to spend the winter in Africa. During migration, the European honey-buzzard makes its way primarily overland, with most migrating individuals crossing into Africa through the Straits of Gibraltar.  From there, migration continues into areas throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where the European honey-buzzard will overwinter.