Despite a fair bit of anticipation for this morning it soon became obvious it wasn't going to be. A few small flocks of Yellow Wagtails and a continuous stream of Swallows moving east kept a bit of interest, whilst two Grey Wagtails overhead were my first this autumn. The bushes however were fairly quiet with three Redstarts and my first fresh Chiffchaff of the autumn was noted. Best came at the end of the circuit when a female Merlin was observed for a short time.
Yellow Wagtail - 31
Reed Warbler - 8
Whinchat - 1
Willow Warbler - 7
Whitethroat - 22
Grey Wagtail - 2
Blackcap - 50
Lesser Whitethroat - 6
Spotted Flycatcher - 1
Chiffchaff - 1
Redstart - 3
Wheatear - 2
Hobby - 1
Merlin - 1
Afterwards I went over to Beachy Head for a spell of raptor watching with John & Doreen and Geoff, and later on Laurence. Very little moving however, though at around 2pm a loose flock of 28 Common Buzzards moved slowly east. A Firecrest was also seen in my favourite set of bushes, those between the Hotel Garden and Old Trapping Area.
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| Chiffchaff in Hope Bottom |
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| Willow Warbler in Hope Bottom |
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| Swift over Hope Bottom |
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| Hobby over Harry's Bush |
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| Firecrest at Beachy Head |
