A bright morning with a moderate and straight Westerly gave me hopes for a late hirundine. My hunch was right as 2 Swallows flew along the cliff top near Fan bay, my latest here ever by 3 days.
Just as they flew through a Hen Harrier floated over and continued South out to sea where I lost it as a tiny dot. Colin had separately seen both of these two things and let me know just as I was texting him the same thing.
100’s of large Gulls were moving into the wind along the cliffs in what seemed like an actual movement from the North sea into the channel (rather than a disturbed flock).
Made up by predominantly Herring Gulls, including many Argentatus and Great Black backed Gulls and after a few minutes I picked up a 2nd winter Yellow–legged gull followed by a 2nd winter Caspian Gull (below)
A 1st Winter and later on another 2nd winter Caspian gull (below) were added to the count, I would imagine many more were moving as I only gave it 40 mins or so all in all.
Colin and I walked through the Valley and had 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Firecrest (added to 3 at Langdon) I also saw 19 Grey Partridge at the East end of the patch.
The 22nd saw a small arrival of Woodcock, I had one nearly take my head off on Fox hill down but at least 3 others were seen by Russ B and the Johnsons. I also counted 121 Lapwings moving West.
PERDIX BIRDER 