Ive been holding off posting anything so far this August, waiting for the first decent bit of movement and the arrival of the first Pied flycatchers. The first was in a lone hawthorn at Fan bay while another 4 were in he clearing at Top wood. Last year was poor for the species so I like to make a fuss of them.
With the high temperatures birds were mostly perching within the canopy. Also counted today were c15 Willow warblers, 2 Sedge a Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 3 Black Redstart, 7 Yellow Wags a single Swift, c20 House Martin and c50 Swallows overhead.
I met up with Phil who offered me a lift back, while he was driving back through the valley I picked up a male Honey Buzzard being mobbed by a Kestrel, We skidded to a stop and watched It moved North. It could have potentially come in at the Bay… It gave great views but excuse the heat hazey photos!
Yesterdays highlight was a juvenile Hen harrier that came in over the cliffs at the Lighthouse.
The 8th of August delivered excellent cross channel Raptor weather and despite no HBs I counted a juv Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Common Buzzard and 3 Kestrels all in off over the Harbour.
PERDIX BIRDER 