Seaford Head 28/8/18

Despite being the first calm morning for a few days, the area was fairly quiet and no doubt in need of a clear night to get things moving again. Eventually a respectable number of migrants were found, however I can't remember having not seen/heard a Tree Pipit during one of the last few days of August before. A good spread of Reed Warblers this morning and an adult Hobby was perched on the electric fenceline running across the sheep field at first light, but that was about it.

Mid afternoon I returned for a short raptor watch, but this only produced nine Swifts circling together above Harry's Bush.

Totals:
Willow Warbler - 7
Lesser Whitethroat - 9
Hobby - 1
Whitethroat - 40
Reed Warbler - 11
Yellow Wagtail - 15
Blackcap - 25
Chiffchaff - 1
Whinchat - 1
Redstart - 3
Wheatear - 1
Nightingale - 1
Mistle Thrush - 1

Late afternoon and into the evening I walked roughly 5-6 miles over the downs behind Bishopstone and Seaford hoping to come across a Montagu's Harrier, and on the first attempt no luck but I'll be back up there a few more times during the next few weeks. Just a Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and a few Wheatears for the aching legs.

Reed Warbler at Hope Bottom

Swift over Harry's Bush

Sand Martin over Harry's Bush

Spotted Flycatcher at Norton

Redstart along the comp