Seaford Head 31/8/17

An enjoyable morning today with several good flocks of migrants located at various parts of the route. Sparrowhawks are very conspicuous at the moment and I witnessed two successful hunts today, one of which was on a Wheatear. For the first time this autumn the sound of Chiffchaffs was widespread and numbers finally reached double figures, however a sound I wasn't expecting was when a flushed Grasshopper Warbler started reeling for a few seconds. Blackcaps are really building up now and easily over 100 were counted today, but getting an actual count is as usual impossible. Finally, our first Merlin of the autumn flew through.

Afterwards I cycled my usual 12 mile route over the downs, and it seems the day I missed during the week was the day a single Dotterel was found alongside a Golden Plover on one of the fields. At least the farmer is aware of these birds passing through.

Totals for Seaford Head are:

Wheatear - 10
Yellow Wagtail - 15
Whitethroat - 31
Willow Warbler - 19
Chiffchaff - 14
Spotted Flycatcher - 2
Reed Warbler - 4
Lesser Whitethroat - 10
Blackcap - 110
Grasshopper Warbler - 2
Redstart - 2
Garden Warbler - 1
Merlin - 1 fem

 Chiffchaff by South Hill Barn

 Wheatears by South Hill Barn

 Grasshopper Warbler in Hope Bottom

 Blackcap in Hope Bottom

 Garden Warbler by Harry's Bush

 Lesser Whitethroat on a coastguard cottage

Willow Warbler at South Hill Barn