An overcast start to the day and light SSE winds delivered some new birds for Rich B and I as we made our way East from Foxhill down first thing.
A tree pipit and good numbers of Willows (my best day for the latter species so far this year ending on 30 birds) Some yellow wagtails over and still great numbers of common Sylvias but the morning really kicked off with a Juv Osprey heading NW along the cliffs at light house down.
The bird continued over Bockhill and out of sight, only my second here and first ive seen in autumn. Still counting decent numbers of common migrants in the valley plus brief views of a Spotted Flycatcher, we headed to the farm where we caught up with at least 5 Whinchat, the highest count so far this year.
As we stood watching, our ears pricked at the sound of a much anticipated call, a Dotterel! which seemed to appear from towards the cliffs and came our way. The bird flew around calling pretty much constantly, briefly putting down in a stubble field before another lap of the area we stood in and continuing west.
A very nice encounter with a bird that shares a special history with the area.
Once back up on Fox hill down we added our autumn’s first Common Redstart and a few swift to the day count plus ended up at almost 100 Swallow west.
A late evening visit back up Foxhill down and another look at the Redstart which was in the same place as earlier whilst c100 Med Gulls fed on Flying Ants above.
PERDIX BIRDER 