Went up to Axe Cliff this morning - and what a splendid few hours I had in glorious 'classic autumn' conditions...
Could easily see Hope's Nose (although you can't in this picture) and I think Start in the distance
Anyway I was up here at 7am this morning, and stayed until 09:20. At first there didn't seem to be much going on, both overhead and on the deck, but when I got to the cliff edge there certainly was some westward passage going on, with the following totals logged;
3 Skylark
54 Swallow
87 House Martin
1 Sand Martin
2 alba Wagtail
2 Yellow Wagtail
6 Grey Wagtail
635 Meadow Pipit
2 Tree Pipit
6 Chaffinch
4 Siskin
On the deck, the selection was limited. Rarely do you get good numbers 'bush birds' up here, so six Blackcap, two Whitethroat, five Chiffchaff and two Willow Warbler was about an average haul. The highlight without doubt was this gorgeous juv Whinchat...
That's Beer Head in the back ground of the lower pic
Whenever I come up here at this time of year, it always feel like an Ortolan is just around the corner. The other patch birders know this is one species I really want to see here. (For non patch birders, that's because virtually every other patch birder HAS seen one [or two!] here). Anyway, today yet again wasn't the day, but the number of these around was encouraging...
Yellowhammer
A quick look from the farm gate after Axe Cliff showed the three Greenshank still on (a now full!) Colyford scrape.
Hello Steve,
ReplyDeletei think it is Start Point in the distance. From Start you can certainly see the Axe Cliffs and an a good day Portland Bill. The farmer at Start has told me he has seen the Isle of Wight on very rare occasions in optimum conditions by something called refraction ( reflection in the light or something ). Next week looking better for birding, Monday could be good if not blown out ?
Hi Perry, thanks for that. Yeah this week looks good doesn't it - best of luck at your end of the county!
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