Month: September 2023

A light WNW and a ‘birdy’ day, with lots of Chiffchaff everywhere, Blackcap and Meadow Pipit plus close to 1,000 hirundines moving through, mostly House Martin but also Swallow and only a handful of Sand Martin.

A Hawfinch was calling unseen somewhere in Langdon Hole, then picked up flying west, Grey Wagtail, Black Redstart, 2 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat also present.

A real bit of excitement in the form of a juvenile Red–footed Falcon, initially over the edge of Top wood and the adjacent field, the bird remained high up but was seen well before being lost to view. I picked it up again flying towards wanstone farm so a mad ‘cross country dash’, ensued straight across the fennel field after which and I watched it hunting over towards st Margarets. 25 minutes later I picked it up again high over the farm flying west towards Swingate but despite searching for another 2.5 hours there was no sign.

Strong winds earlier in the week encouraged me to spend some time seawatching, the best of which produced 1 Sooty (below) 8 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Arctic Skua between 10.30 and midday on the 20th

I have brought my trip to Scilly forward, due to the immense American situation unfolding on that side of the country, I leave tonight (sunday) so wish me luck!

Back from a long work trip to Korea. High temperatures and high pressure for the past 2 days with favourable South Easterly wind direction though not much to write home about. Over 1000 Hirundines on the 15th, heading no particular direction, lots of ChiffChaffs and no Willows,numbers of Siskin over, a Juv Hen Harrier hunting over the top fields, 3 Golden Plover, 5 Ringed Plover and my first numbers of Meadow pipits of the Autumn.

Much the same for the next couple of days with the Hen Harrier still in situ, a couple of Tree pipits, the odd and Yellow Wagtail and up to 6 Whinchats, single Spotted Fly, Firecrest and Reed warbler. Nice to be home.