30th September

 A light SW wind and overcast conditions produced a good overhead passage in the first couple of hours of the day with 6,200 Barn Swallows, 990 House Martins, three Sand Martins, two Swifts, 28 Skylarks, 118 Meadow Pipits, 18 Pied/White Wagtails, 187 Linnets, 65 Redpolls, eight Crossbills, 160 Siskins, three Yellowhammers and seven Reed Buntings. The movement bizarrely included a group of nine ravens going south just after dawn. The wind became more southerly and strengthened and the passage ended abruptly apart from a steady small stream of hirundines during the rest of the morning.

On the ground it was hard work with 56 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, two Goldcrests, one Firecrest, 10 Stonechats, one Whinchat, two Wheatears and a Short-eared Owl over Hope Point.

Richard had a Redstart in his garden at Kingsdown

Short-eared Owl- Hope Point (BR)

Northern Wheatear (BR)

Ravens over the Monument (BR)

29th September

 The day started with a light SW wind and and unpleasant drizzle which lasted until mid morning. It became sunny during the afternoon but the wind picked up. 

A Ring Ouzel was by the monument first thing, relocating quickly to the Paddock before flying inland. A Tree Pipit also flew over the Paddock early morning. 

Stonechats were arguably the species of the day with at least 19 being recorded including eight together along the side of the golf course where there were also four Black Redstarts and a single Wheatear. Although no winter thrushes were seen, there had been a small influx of Song Thrushes with at least 15 seen. 

Around 93 Chiffchaffs were recorded and a Yellow-browed Warbler was found in the Empty Wood although it could not be relocated in the afternoon. The only other warblers were 18 Blackcaps and a single Lesser Whitethroat. 

After the morning rain cleared some birds begun to move including 24 Skylarks, 115 Meadow Pipits, two Rock Pipits, five alba Wagtails, one Grey Wagtail, 14 Redpolls and 1,100 Swallows

Other birds of note included eight Grey Partridge, 10 Goldcrests, 38 Robins, three Reed Buntings and  three Ravens. 

50 species recorded 

Late news from yesterday- Yellow-browed Warbler at Kingsdown as per Nigel 

Common Stonechat (BR)

26th September

 Strong NW winds made birding difficult today althouth there was an impressive movement of finches in the first half of the morning with 960 Siskins, 40 Redpolls, 19 Crossbills, 120 Goldfinches and two, Greenfinches. There was little else moving with just 49 Meadow Pipits, 25 Starlings, five alba and one Grey Wagtail, three House Martins and one Swallow. A Greenshank flew north.

On the ground there wee five Firecrests, three Goldcrests, three Stonechats, 42 Chiffchaffs and five Blackcaps.

Two sessions looking at the sea produced nothing of note.

Chiffchaff - Farm Wood (NJ)

23rd September

 A rain interrupted visit which produced 63 Chiffchaffs, 51 Blackcaps,  a single Whitethroat,  two Firecrest two Sparrowhawks and a Hobby. 

An impressive early morning movement of hirundines and Siskins including over 400 of the latter. 

Not much else of note seen. Weather for the next few days doesn't look promising. 

Chiffchaff (BR)

22nd September

 A short visit today without time to carry out any systematic counts although the usual suspects were still moving overhead namely Siskins, Meadow Pipits, Swallows and House Martins. 

Of note were single Tree Pipits, Redstart, Stonechat and Whinchat plus a Firecrest in the Farm Wood in addition to the two local birds at Oldstairs. 

There had clearly been a notable arrival of Chiffchaffs with 50 around the Paddock and Farm Wood. 

Common Stonechat (BR)

21st September

 Inspired by yesterday's injury time finds at the Kingsdown end, that's where today's birding commenced. Yesterday's Pied Flycatcher was still present but there was no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler. 

Notable arrivals included Robins, up to 64 and a single Redwing, the first of the autumn. 

Robin (BR)

Warblers remained thin on the ground with only 29 Chiffchaffs and nine Blackcaps, although the latter is undoubtedly a huge under estimate. 

Overhead passage was again worth while with many sizable groups of Siskins moving NW. At least 270 passed through. Meadow Pipits were also moving again with 255 recorded. 330 Swallows passed mostly going NW. 

Other birds of note included two Firecrests, five Stonechats, one Redpoll and two Little Egrets. Phil Smith had four Redstarts.

Full totals   https://ebird.org/checklist/S73865171 

Redwing- Ship House (BR)

Firecrest- Ship House (BR)

20th September

 The continuing NE winds again made it hard work again today but the day was saved late on with Gerald finding the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn, along with a Pied Flycatcher in Oldstairs. 

Yellow-browed Warbler (GS)

Prior to that the main focus of the day had been a steady overhead movement including 350 Swallows, three Sand Martins, 300 Meadow Pipits. five Grey Wagtails, three Yellow Wagtail, 150 Siskins and three Crossbills. 

On the ground there were 34 Chiffchafffs 16 Blackcaps, two Lesser Whitethroats, one Whitethroat, five Stonechats, two Redstarts, two Firecrests, one Goldcrest and a single Tree Sparrow. 

Pied Flycatcher (GS)

Redstart (BR)

19th September

 A brisk NE wind again made for difficult viewing conditions. Only limited coverage of the area today with little of significant note. A single Spotted Flycatcher was at the Gun Emplacement, presumably one of yesterday's birds. Three Firecrests were seen including two migrants in the Farm Wood. Other birds included 36 Chiffchaffs, 24 Blackcaps and two Stonechats. A few Siskins, Swallows and Meadow Pipits were moving north. 

One of several Yellowhammers at the Gun Emplacement (BR)

18th September

 240 Siskins were seen to go north during the first hour of day light along with five Grey Wagtails, about 40 Meadow Pipits and 23 Swallows. However as the wind picked up all overhead movement ceased.

One the ground highlights included a fine male redstart in the Paddock, a male Black Redstart at Hope Point, two Spotted Flycatchers in the Gun Emplacement and two Stonechats.

The only warblers seen were 34 Chiffchaffs and six Blackcaps. 

Spotted Flycatcher (BR)

17th September

 Most of the area was exposed to a brisk NE wind which made birding difficult. Nothing was going overhead, not even Siskins!

One the ground there were still small groups of Chiffchaffs in sheltered areas but only 34 were counted, with eight Blackcpas, one Lesser Whitethroat and two Firecrest. The Rough was the most productive area as the wind eased producing single Wheatear, Whinchat and the first Pied Flycatcher of the month.

Pied Flycatcher (BR)

Wheatear (BR)

Wheatear (BR)

16th September

Light northery wind, high cloud cover

A little overhead movement with a change in wind this morning. Small groups of Meadow Pipits were passing throughout the morning ( 230 counted), plus two Grey Wagtails, one Yellow Wagtail, one alba Wagtail,eight Redpoll, three Crossbills and the inevitable and inestimably number of Siskins.

grounded migrants included 52 Chiffchaffs, 51 Blackcaps, two Lesser Whitethroats, one Goldcrest and the first two Reed Buntings of the season.

15th September

A hot cloudless morning with light winds was inevitably fairly quite. Overhead there were a few hirundines early morning (40 Swallows and 30 House Martins) plus eight Grey Wagtails, two alba Wagtails, a single Tree Pipit and the first Redpoll of the autumn. Siskins were still going through but not quite in the same numbers as the last few days. The heat sapped our enthusiasm so coverage wasn't that extensive with only 43 Chiffchaffs, one Willow Warbler, 15 Blackcaps and three Stonechats. Two Goldcrests and a single Mistle Thrush were signs that the autumn is progressing. 

Stonechat 

14th September

 It was already shorts and T shirt weather at sunrise this morning with clear skies and a light ESE wind. These conditions saw some viz mig early on with at least 1,200 Swallows and 900 House Martins moving out into the channel in the first hour. Other birds moving in the first couple of hours included  60 Meadow Pipits, three Tree Pipits, four Grey Wagtails, two alba Wagtails and two Yellow Wagtails. 

Meanwhile the audible migration continued again this morning with a steady stream of mostly unseen Siskins going north. 

There was little change on the deck with 94 Chiffchaffs, 47 Blackcaps, four Lesser Whitethroats, two Common Whitethroats and a single Reed Warbler. Six Stonechats and a single Whinchat were the only other birds of note

Chiffchaff (BR)

13th September

 Another uneventful day as light SW winds and clear skies continued. 

Another good turn out from the Bockhill team produced 1,200 House Martins, six Sand Martins, 350 Swallows, one Swift, 170 Meadow Pipits, six Grey Wagtails plus an unknown number of Siskins. 

On the ground there were 74 Chiffchaffs, one Willow Warbler, 44 Blackcaps, six Whitethroats, nine Lesser Whitethroats, three Firecrests, one Redstart and one Wheatear.

12th September

Good coverage today with most of the Bockhill regulars out in the field. Sadly birding was a bit of a struggle. Highlights included 92 Chiffchaffs, 27 Blackcaps, three Lesser Whitethroats, one Whitethroat, five Stonechats, one Whinchat, two Wheatears, two Black Redstarts and Hobby. 

Overhead Siskins were still moving in big numbers with over 220 recorded although the number could have been considerably higher if only we could have seen most of them. Also going over, single Tree Pipit and one Yellow Wagtail, three Grey Wagtails plus 370 House Martins and 90 Swallows. 

Wheatear (NJ)

11th September

A return to form with a number of new grounded migrants including 81 Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warbler, 27 Blackcaps, six Lesser Whitethroats but only two Common Whitethroats. Also a single Reed Warbler at Hope Bay Studios. 

Also seen two Whinchats, two Wheatears, two Redstarts, two Stonechats and a single Spotted Flycatcher.

Overhead there were single a Tree pipit, Yellow and Grey Wagtails and around 45 Meadow Pipits.  A few House Martins were present at Hope Point but for the second day running no Swallows were seen. 

Siskins were again on the move, all going North with a minimum of 130 but almost certainly significantly more.

A Short-eared Owl was flushed from Hope Point.

53 species recorded.

10th September

 A poor day with a significant reduction in the number of migrants. Chiffchaffs led the way for the warblers with 48, along with two Willows, 17 Blackcaps, five Lesser Whitethroats and three Common Whitethroats. Two Stonechats were the only chats seen. 

A Whimbrel flew down channel. No no hirundines were seen all morning.

Siskins continued to pile through, invariably going North and mostly unseen. At least 180 went through this morning although the true figure is likely to have been much higher. A small group of about thirty birds rested for a couple of minutes in Ship House.

41 species recorded 

9th September

Not a lot to get too excited about today, Chiffchaffs (44) and Blackcaps (42) dominated with support from nine Lesser Whitethroats, seven Common Whitethroats and a single Reed Warbler. The only chats seen were single Redstart, Whinchat and Stonechat. A single Spotted Flycatcher was still on the Leas beyond Hope Point. 

Overhead there was a steady trickle of Meadow Pipits (140), plus an indeterminate number of Siskins that were again moving, mostly unseen throughout the morning. Also two Grey Wagtails, one alba Wagtail. 100 Swallows, 40 House Martins and a single Swift. 

The only other birds of note were four ravens.

45 species recorded 

8th September

Numbers of warblers and chats both dropped off a little today and with a similar weather pattern for the next few days we can expect further reductions in numbers during the week. 

Today's highlights included two Common and two Black Redstarts, two Whinchats, three Wheatears and  a single Stonechat.

Chiffchaffs had reduced to 27 from over 90 the day before with only a single Willow Warbler seen. 38 Blackcaps, nine Lesser Whitethroats, five Whitethroats were recorded.

Overhead Siskins continued to move but again most were unseen and while a majority were going North-East as in previous days, a few today seemed to be heading in a more logical Southerly/Westerly direction. Also overhead there were four Grey Wagtails, about 20 Meadow Pipits, 300 Swallows and a single Swift.

At least one Hobby and two Sparrowhawks were seen.  A group of seven Ravens shortly after dawn were noteworthy. 

50 species recorded.

7th September

 A great start to the day when a Bee-eater was found near the monument, feeding with a large mixed flock of hirundines. These began to drift south at around 7.30 taking the Bee-eater with them.

Elsewhere around the area there were four Spotted Flycatchers, two Redstarts, two Whinchats, a single Stonechat, while on the warbler front there were 93 Chiffchaffs, three Willow Warblers, 58 Blackcaps, 15 Whitethroats, 11 Lesser Whitethroats and a single Grasshopper Warbler. Eight Crossbills were flushed from Kingsdown Leas.

Overhead Siskins were still on the move but fewer than in recent days with around 40 recorded. A few Meadow Pipits were moving along with three Yellow Wagtails and single Grey and White Wagtails. 

At least 3,000 House Martins and 2,000 Swallows went through as well as two Swifts. 

53 species recorded.

6th September

 Today's highlights included a significant increase in Chiffchaffs (76) and Blackcaps (111), while numbers of other warblers decreased with only three Willow Warblers, 10 Lesser  Whitethroats and 24 Whitethroats.

Other birds of note included three Spotted Flycatchers, three Redstarts, four Whinchats, two Yellow Wagtails, two Grey Wagtails, two Tree Pipits, two Short-eared Owls, a Merlin, a Firecrest and up to six Swifts. Siskins continued to move through North with at least 160 counted but probably many more as most were heard only. 

42 species recorded.

Whinchat (NJ)

5th September

 Another day in which we failed to find a Wryneck unlike many other sites in Kent, however the day was busy with plenty of common migrants, which included four Short-eared Owls  at Hope Point, 4 Whinchats, two Stonechats, three Wheatears and single Redstart and Spotted Flycatchers. Phil covered the fields around the village and added 21 Wheatears, seven Whinchats and seven Yellow Wagtails to the tally.

The Cuckoo seen a few days ago at Ship House was still present

On the warbler front there were 74 Blackcaps, 14 Lesser Whitethroats, 22 Whitethroats, 14 Chiffchaffs and seven Willow Warblers, three Reed Warblers, one Sedge Warbler and four Grasshopper Warblers.

Overhead Siskins continued to move North with at least 95 recorded.

50 species recorded 

4th September

 A light WSW wind produced reasonable number of common migrants including five Redstarts (3 Hope Point/Golf course and two at the Rough- Barrow Down), four Whinchats, three Stonechats, five Wheatears,  and four Spotted Flycatchers (Kingsdown Undercliff, Ship House, & two in the  Freedown). 

Warbler numbers had also increased with eight Willow Warblers, 11 Chiffchaffs, 58 Blackcaps, 27 Lesser Whitethroats, 15 Whitethroats and two Reed Warblers. 

Overhead Siskins seemed to be moving in singles or small groups most of the morning with 55 logged. Five Grey Wagtails were recorded plus single Crossbill and Swift.

There will be worse days this autumn!

51 species recorded

Common Redstart  The Rough

Spotted Flycatcher- Freedown

Stonechat- Hope Point

Whinchat Hope Point

2nd September

 A fairly uneventful day with a juvenile Cuckoo at Ship House and a Firecrest in the Farm Wood being the highlights. Reasonable numbers of sylvia warblers remain around with 37 Blackcaps, 22 Lesser Whitethroats and 22 Lesser Whitethroats recorded, but phylloscs were scarce with only four Chiffchaffs and 3 Willow Warblers. A single Reed Warbler was at Hope Point.

There was a steady stream of Swallows moving south in small groups with 66 counted in total. A male Common Redstart was at Hope Point, a different bird from yesterday's juv/female in the Paddock. There was a single Whinchat on the clifftop fence line. Four wader species were recorded, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Common Sandpiper, all heard only. 

Nigel has a single Willow Warbler and a Stonechat on the undercliff 

44 species recorded 

1st September

The morning started slowly with very few migrant warblers and nothing moving overhead. The only excitement was a Mute Swan that flew down channel only to return North a few minutes later. Things picked up from mid morning when 13 Wigeon flew North over the Bluebird cafe and a Redstart, two Black Redstarts, two Wheatears, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Reed Warbler and two Garden Warblers were found around the Leas and Paddock. 

Final warbler scores included 23 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Whitethroats, 12 Blackcaps but only two Willow Warblers and two Chiffchaffs. Two Whimbrels and a Golden Plover were heard flying over but not seen. 

46 species recorded 

(Brendan, John Cantelo, Ralph and Brenda Todd)