27th February 2022

The Hume's Warbler is still present.

First Bumblebee of the year in Paddock.

Nigel, Richard, Jack.

26th February 2022

On a sunny but cold day Nigel had a Chiffchaff at Kingsdown and Richard one at Hope Point, our first migrants of the year. Other than that there were two Ravens, three Buzzards, a Stonechat, three Corn Buntings and a Firecrest around the area.

The Hume's Warbler is still in the Farm Wood although it is, as usual, extremely difficult to see.  

 Gerald, Nigel, Richard, Jack.

19th February 2022

 On the day after the 'big storm' there were two Bramblings on Kingsdown Leas and two at Hope Point, also a Red Kite over the Golf Course, that flew off in a north-westerly direction, and two Ravens over the cliff-top.

Three of us met at the Farm Wood and in an hour or so the Hume's Warbler was heard but only seen very briefly. It has now been present for 59 days.

Our first butterfly of the year was a Peacock by the Freedown.

Nigel, Richard, Jack.

12th February 2022

Other than the Hume's Warbler, that still remains in the farm wood, we only had a couple of Ravens harassing a Buzzard over the Freedown.

Nigel, Richard, Jack.

6th February 2022

Although the weather was atrocious we met in the Bay for a hopeful seawatch from 08-30 to 10-30 and had 144 Red-throated Divers (of which 94 were in one loose flock), at least 100 Gannets, 13 Brent Geese, 30 Auks, 45 Kittiwakes and countless Cormorants both up and down Channel. 

On the grass in front of us were a couple of Rock Pipits and a Grey Wagtail.

The Hume's Warbler was not seen today but was present yesterday.

Nigel, Jack.

30th January 2022

On a cold but beautiful sunny day we had the usual Hume's Warbler in the Farm Wood. There was also a male Stonechat and Corn Bunting on the clifftop, at least five Yellowhammers in the Freedown, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flyover and a Firecrest at Oldstairs.

Nigel, Richard, Jack.

29th January 2022

 Today we were entertained by the Hume's Warbler and the resident pair of Peregrines that chased pigeons over the big field ..... unfortunately we saw very little else. 

Nigel, Jack.

25th January 2022

 Apart from the Hume's Warbler, still present in the Farm Wood, the only bird of note is a male Blackcap.

Jack 

23rd January 2022

Another quiet day with very few birds other than the Hume's Warbler in the Farm Wood and the large flock of 2000 Woodpigeons in the stubble field.

Along Granville Road Richard had five Bramblings, a Goldcrest and two Firecrests whilst overhead a Kestrel and Peregrine hunted over the Paddock.

Richard, Jack.

22nd January 2022

Today, with the sun shining, the Hume's showed very well for a change. 

Little else of note apart from a flock of circa. 2000 Woodpigeons in the stubble field and a few Yellowhammers around the horses in the Freedown.

Richard, Jack.

16th January 2022

We had a seawatch from 08:20 - 10:00 and saw, mainly moving down channel, one Great Northern Diver, 45 Red-throated Divers, 120 Auks and 100 Cormorants. Close inshore was a Shag, Mediterranean Gull and eight Kittiwakes.

The Hume's Warbler was still present but very elusive.

Nigel, Richard, Jack.  

15th January 2022

The Hume's Warbler, that was found in the Farm Wood on the 22 December 2021, is still present and being seen and heard on most days. 

Notable birds today, other than the Hume's, were two Brambling, two Grey Partridges, 150 Skylarks, two Ravens and circa 1500 Woodpigeons.

Brendan, Nigel, Richard, Simon, Jack.

22nd December 2021

 A rare (possibly a first) visit to Bockhill in December, to see Sam's Tundra Bean Geese (5), which were still present in the maize field west of the Gun Emplacement.

Having seen the geese I wandered through the Farm Wood and where I heard a call from inside the wood that I suspected was a Hume's Warbler. Having walked around the wood to ensure that there were no Pied Wagtails impersonating a Hume's, I eventually tracked down the warbler and managed a few record shots and a sound recording of its call.

Nigel, Heather, Jack, Tony, Sam and James King arrived soon after and were able to see the bird which remained elusive and always high in the canopy.

This is the second record for the area following one found by Phil and Richard in Oldstairs  in Oct 2015

Brendan