12th June 2021
Phil and I stood at the viz mig site from 07.00-10.00 and had very little apart from c.300 starlings in six flocks come in off the sea, (unfortunately no Rose Coloured),There were three Hobbys hunting across the big field and two Ravens sitting on the fence. Many butterflies today, mainly Common, Small and Adonis Blues and an unusual one, for us that is, a Dingy Skipper.
Later in the afternoon Nigel had a Honey Buzzard over Kingsdown.
Nigel and I were out early covering the Undercliffe to The Monument with a very light westerly. As is fairly typical in recent years at this time Red Kites filled the skies above Kingsdown. We managed to count 42, there were probably more as they were never close and at times widely dispersed. Otherwise fairly quiet. A Shelduck and Shag flew past out to sea, there were 10 Swifts and a Black Redstart.
The first Small Blues and Adonis Blues were along the cliff top and Nigel picked out a male and female Red-veined Darter on Kingsdown Leas.
A passage of 82 Swifts, a Black Redstart and White Wagtail at Hope Point, 45 Common Scoter went through and 3 Red kites were over Kingsdown and then headed off towards Ringwould. Jack, Phil, Brendan and Richard
Until Richard Bonser and Jamie Partridge picked up a Black Stork at St. Margaret's going out to sea and quickly got the news out. Phil and Jack managed to get on it at The Monument and I watched it from Kingsdown. Fantastic! This is the second record for the area, the first being 17 years ago on 19th September. Jack didn't see that first one, he was suitably impressed this time around! Earlier there was a Marsh Harrier and we also had 10 Red Kites over Kingsdown.
Video by Phil Chantler.
