Isabelline Shrike-Gosport 11/9/10

Isabelline (Daurian) Shike form 'isabellinus' at Gosport, Hants this afternoon.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth 9/9/10

Convolvulus Hawk-moth in a Heathfield garden this afternoon.

Wryneck at last 7/9/10

A WRYNECK was by far the highlight of the walk this morning around the patch. It was only seen very briefly before it flew out of sight on the west side of the Cuckmere 500yds north-west of the coastguard cottages. A half-hour search after drew a blank. Other highlights included 24 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 18 Whitethroats, 7 Lesser Whitethroats, 38 Blackcaps and 10 Chiffchaffs.

Whinchat in Hope Gap.

Birling Gap 6/9/10

A long search around Birling Gap this morning in hope of finding the Wryneck drew a complete blank. The only highlight was a single Swift that flew eas and a Willow Warbler. However the amount of Autumns Ladies Tresses was amazing, with the majority being up the lane above Birling.

Stonechat and Autumn Ladies Tresses at Birling Gap.

Hope Gap, Seaford Head 5/9/10

Only half the patch was covered today and a distinct lack of migrants was evident. The highlight was a Grasshopper Warbler with showed very briefly. Otherwise very routine with 12 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 9 Blackcaps, 18 Wheatears and a Whinchat.

Peregrine at Seaford Head - a pair showed well all morning chasing anything that came close, including an Oystercatcher (a shame the Peregrine wasn't successfull).

Hope Gap, Seaford Head 3/9/10

A lovely, warm, calm morning today with a surprising new arrival of grounded migrants despite the very clear conditions, and the more expected overhead migration taking place. Highlights included 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 12 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 64 Yellow Wagtails, singles of Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Reed Warbler, 31 Whitethroats, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 62 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs and 3 Willow Warblers. Hundreds of Swallows were moving east also.

Also my first Clouded Yellow of the year was seen.

Oystercatcher and Spotted Flycatcher at Seaford Head/Cuckmere Haven.

Birling Gap SOS walk 2/9/10

I led a walk today around the Birling Gap area on a very bright, calm morning. Highlights included a distant Honey Buzzard seen by all of the group, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, 1 Whimbrel and 4 Yellow Wagtails. But the highlight this morning was this fine Continental Coal Tit found by myself above Birling Gap in a small pine plantation. Ive just heard this morning this is the earliest record for the county by two weeks since 1948.
'Continental' Coal Tit at Birling Gap.