23rd September 2022

Hirundines were dominant over the area this morning. Approximately 7 000 House Martins and 4 000 Swallows were present all over the area from the cliffs at Kingsdown to St. Margaret's at Cliffe and out to Ringwould. There was one Swift with them. They seemed to move on during the rain that fell between 08:00 and 08:30. 

Also on my walk from Kingsdown to the Farm Wood and back was the Snow Bunting in the cliff top field by the path that cuts in towards The Freedown, a Sandwich Tern, two Grey Herons, 66 Chiffchaffs, 89 Blackcaps, 15 Goldcrests, five Firecrests, six Stonechats, four Wheatears, a Grey Wagtail, 120 Meadow Pipits and 10 Siskins.

Richard

On a seawatch from 07:30-11:00 birds were moving both in a northerly or southerly direction, most notable were 42 Brent Geese, 41 Wigeon, 46 Common Scoters, three Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver, 75 Gannets and an Arctic Skua. 

A Common Buzzard and a Grey Heron flew in off the sea. Also 56 Mediterranean Gulls and 47 Lesser Black-backed Gulls sat on the sea in the Bay whilst two Ravens sat on the cliff.    

Simon, Jack. 

11th September 2022

 Early morning saw a flock of 114 House Sparrow by the Monument move into the fields whilst 500 Swallows, 100 House Martins and several Sand Martins flew in a SW direction. Also overhead there was a Grey Heron, a Grey Plover, two Grey Wagtails and 14 Meadow Pipits. 

In the area were three Whinchats, two Stonechats, a Redstart and good numbers of warblers totalling 87 Blackcaps, five Lesser Whitethroats, four Whitethroats and 55 Chiffchaffs.

10th September

Early morning there was a little movement overhead of 270 Meadow Pipits. two Tree Pipits and three Grey Wagtails,

 Grounded migrants included a Wheatear, a Redstart, three Whinchats, four Stonechats and two Pied Flycatchers. 

Warblers included 36 Blackcaps, five Lesser Whitethroats, four Whitethroats, 26 Chiffchaffs and nine Willow Warblers.

4th September 2022

Overhead movement, mainly in a westerly direction, included a Golden Plover, 22 Bar-Tailed Godwits, 119 Swallows, one Tree Pipit and a Grey Wagtail. 

Grounded migrants were two Redstarts, seven Wheatears, three Whinchats, two Stonechats and a Pied Flycatcher. 

Warblers totalled 52 birds of which 17 were Blackcaps, six Whitethroats, 13 Lesser Whitethroats, two Chiffchaffs and 14 Willow Warblers.

At about 11:30 an Osprey flew NE over Kingsdown. 

Nigel, Pete Morris, Richard, Jack.

3rd September 202217

 A reasonable number of birds today although considering it is the first week of September we should have more. In the Hope Point area were two Whinchats, nine Wheatears, three Stonechats and overhead, flying south, were seven Grey Wagtails and one Yellow Wagtail. Elsewhere in the area were singles of Reed and Garden Warbler, seven Whitethroats, 16 Lesser Whitethroats, 17 Blackcaps, one Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warblers, and two Pied Flycatchers. There also appeared to be an increase of Robins, perhaps to about 25.

Gerald, Nigel, Richard, Jack. 

2nd September

Lighter NE winds this morning but still clear overhead conditions. Highlight was a Queen of Spain Fritillary which was watched for about 45 minutes before flying south. 

Birds highlights included Pied Flycatcher in the Farm Wood ( first of the autumn?), three Redstarts, three Whinchats, four Stonechats and two Wheatears. Apart from a Grasshopper Warbler in the Freedown, warbler numbers remain disappointing with only four Willow Warblers, 10 Whitethroats and seven Lesser Whitethroats. 

(Brendan, Richard and Pete Morris)