GRIM

Beachy Head: Finally saw the lingering Yellow-browed Warbler above Francis Bottom, nice to see a return to form for these over the last few autumns. Also on the move, Crossbill, Siskin, Redpoll, Woodlark and several 100 Starling.

Brown crested 🤣

It’s the enablers (the electorate) that really have me wondering.

Can u believe that road has a 60mph speed limit? Which isn’t enforced by the police, who if called to report the frequent drag racing up there, never arrive in a timely manner but 4/5 squad cars attend immediately to a potential suicide report.

Beachy Head: Pleased to find this Melodious Warbler y'day, unfortunately in a private area with no public access. A decent day all around with good numbers of common migrants.

Madri man

A last minute weekend in Tarifa,Sunday saw thousands of Raptors and took an unexpected turn when @beachyheadbirder.bsky.social and I found a Blue-cheeked bee eater.Initially heard calling,then some disbelief but picked up on wires.Thanks @ingloriousbustards.bsky.social ‘s group lending us a scope!

Beachy Head: Pretty poor over the last few days but Wryneck (RL) and total of 4 Honey Buzzard (3 pictured) on 31st was decent enough #sussexbirding

A fraction of the birds at large in the SE in modern times Andy

most ridiculous name

Beachy Head: A week of NE winds has made it lean pickings, slight improvement this morning, Marsh Harrier, two Hobby, Cetti's Warbler, single Crossbill, slight increase in Willow Warbler.

Not sure… before my time here.

I think last here was 2011! I believe, in the dim distant past, they were more regular here than Melodious, which by modern standards is unbelievable.

Lovely, is it me or does Bluesky low res images a tad?

Why? There’s no concrete evidence they ever bred here.

The Stork thing really is a massive and seemingly irreversible blunder. An account of one polishing off a brood of Lapwing chicks here in Sussex is a sad but perfect embodiment of all that is wrong with it.

Beachy Head: First 2 Wheatear of the autumn for me and a HUGE local rarity, a juvenile Tree Sparrow which disappeared high to the west, 40+ Willow Warbler plus the usuals. Whilst RE. ringed a Pied Flycatcher in the hollow - the autumns first. #sussexbirding

I guess it’s personal experience, although I frequently see images of Swaro’s looking like they’ve lost rubber armour etc. I’ve sent a Leica scope back once via the shop in Mayfair and was very happy with service. As for the 4 pairs of bins, they never faltered.

Why don’t they make their optics out of the same stuff Leica do? Personal experience of multiple pairs that have never let me down.

neat bug

Beachy Head: An enjoyable morning with a lovely Wood Warbler discovered in Belle Tout wood, an early Tree Pipit over and juv Cockoo. #sussexbirding

Beachy Head: Reed & Grasshopper Warblers in Shooters this morning as more faces of autumn continue to appear. #ukbirding

Beachy Head: Overnight rain seemed to drop in a few migrants, 5 Reed Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 4+ Nightingale, up-tick of Lesser Whitethroat 10+, Sand Martin thro. #sussexbirding #ukbirding

Your are correct sir!

Beachy Head: Never know what to call this transitional period… more “autumn” faces showing up, first Reed Warbler and a Yellow Wagtail over this morning.

Final chance to submit photos for inclusion in the 2024 Sussex bird report. Pls follow instrcutions below. Many thanks!

Eastbourne Beach: At least 2 different juvenile Yellow legged Gull at the fresh fish shop and a HUGE 2cy bird.

neat bug

Beachy Head: Couple of images from the headland over the few days, this mornings Honey Buzzard (my first “spring” one here) and last wkds pair of Bee-eater (found by Andrew Whitcomb) #RareBirdsUK