Month: October 2024

Despite another day of very light SE being forecast, I detected a faint Northerly as I reached the top of the cliff path this morning and things seemed as they had been for the past few days although finch passage was more notable with small parties of Brambling (6,2,4) c60 Siskin and some invisble Redpolls. Best of them though were 4 Hawfinch south West over the valley, the first ive seen this year and perhaps part of a wider movement of this species across the country at the moment?

A new Dartford warbler in Fan bay with a pair of Stonechat, a male and much more elusive than the first year bird from last week.

The highlight for me this morning though was another Short eared Owl, a different bird to earlier in the week (which was in primary moult) and appeared from out over the sea just after the rain started. It landed in one of the fields so will hopefully be around for abit.

Still no YBW or Pallas’s here despite my checking tit flocks and an increase in crests noted, Keep looking.

A quiet week on the patch, despite daily coverage, very little seen beyond Ring Ouzels (5 on the 19th), at least one Brambling per morning, Chaffinches, Siskins and Redpoll moving and varying numbers of hirundines with c300 today mostly Swallow but a few House martin mixed in.

A Short eared Owl flushed from Foxhill down early on the 23rd, Chris C had a Hen Harrier on the 22nd and Ive had 2 Woodcock explode out of Top wood recently.

Goldcrest numbers seem to be up and high count of 7 Firecrest today. A lone Lapwing flew SW and Stonechat numbers are down plus no sign of the Dartford.

A change is due.

Back from 2 and a half weeks on st Agnes, Ilses of Scilly. With no real American Weather during my stay it didn’t really happen but some great birds seen and found and incredible moments so a brief post on that should follow.

In my absence I missed a few Yellow-Browed Warblers (RB, PM) and a really gripping Red-breasted Flycatcher found by Colin and Kevin Johnson in Top wood on the 5th October, a bird I’ve really wanted to see here and seems so hard to find in Kent! Photos by Nige Jarman below.

Straight up the cliffs this morning, to a warm and very light SW breeze. 3 Ring Ouzels between Foxhill down and Langdon Hole, 10 Chiff, 8 Reed bunting, 4 Firecrest, 20+ Goldcrest, 6 Siskins and 1 Redpoll over N, 8 Swallows flew SW, a Woodcock flushed out of Top wood. Stonechats are in good numbers with perhaps 19 around the lighthouse and with them was a showy Dartford Warbler, which was first seen last sunday by MH.

Happy to be home, lots to look for and lots of time to do so.