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)

20th August 2022

The entire area was walked today producing one Whimbrel, one Yellow and two Alba Wagtails, one Hobby, two Swifts, 40 House Martins and four Sand Martins, all overhead.

Grounded there was one Wheatear, two Stonechats, one Reed Warbler, five Blackcaps, 10 Lesser Whitethroats, 36 Whitethroats and 12 Willow Warblers. 

Also of note were at least four Wasp Spiders at Hope Point.

Brendan, Nigel, Richard, Jack.

19th August 2022

A walk to Hope Point and the Freedown produced two Swifts, 45 Swallows and 100 House Martins. In the Freedown were 87 House Sparrows and four Grey Partridges. Elsewhere there was a Sedge Warbler, eight Lesser Whitethroats, seven Whitethroats, and nine Willow Warblers. 

Richard.

Whilst Heather was painting in her kitchen at Kingsdown she was visited by this Redstart.   

 

18th August 2022

 More birds today mainly around the Hope Point area, three Yellow Wagtails, two Wheatears, three Whinchats, three juv Stonechats, a Redstart, a Grasshopper Warbler, three Reed Warblers, five Lesser Whitethroats, five Whitethroats, 10 Willow Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Brendan, Richard.  

17th August 2022

Not much around today apart from a Grey Partridge, two Wheatears, three Lesser Whitethroats and four Whitethroats.

Phil. Richard. 

8th August 2022

 An early morning walk around the area produced very few birds apart from two Wheatears and two young Stonechats on the fence down to Hope Point, three Willow Warblers around the Farm, a flyover Raven and at least 50 House Sparrows around the Monument.

Phil, Jack.

16th July 2022

 Very few birds of note apart from local Ravens, Buzzards and breeding Whitethroats.

However good numbers of butterflies with second generation Walls and Small Coppers, whilst along the path by the Freedown there were at least 100 Gatekeepers.

Jack

12th June 2022

 

A Quail first found on Friday gave some fabulous views on the golf course this morning whilst singing. Picture and a short video below. Apologies for the background noise, that's my dog chewing a golf ball, there was also a Hobby and a small passage of 21 Swifts.

Recent sightings have included a Cuckoo on 10th June, Golden Oriole and 3 Hawfinches on 5th June, Bee-eater on 4th Jun, Honey Buzzard and 4 Crossbills on 3rd June and 8 Bee-eaters first seen on 22nd May which were briefly in the area again on 25th May.

Quail Bockhill 12th June 2022