The Last Rays Of Summer - Various Dorset, Surrey & West Sussex site - 20th - 22nd September 202026/9/2020 Its crazy to think that as I sit here writing this in the space of a week the weather has gone from Shorts and T-shirt weather to thermals and coats, but that must mean only one thing.... Its the start of autumn proper. Now I have to admit that I haven't had much to write about recently, however the few day's that I am about to write up we just simply incredibly. Not Just because of the weather, but also because of the birding. It all started on Sunday 20th with a trip to RSPB Pulborough Brooks planned for Mya's Wildlife walk. This walk was set up by Mya in order to help raise money for the Cameron Bespolka Trust. It is a fantastic idea and the money is going to a fantastic cause. Infact if you haven't already then there is still time to donate to the trust, wouldn't it be great if we could get Mya up to double her target? Along the way to the walk I had arranged to pick Arjun up on route and since the route to Pulborough takes us along the A3 we thought it would be rude not to stop and take a quick look at what would be a lifer for the two of us. So we briefly diverted off the A3 and found ourselves parking on Chalk Lane in Shackleford. We knew that we didn't have much time to see the bird and so we decided to run at full pelt the mile and a half to the site. However this wasn't without stopping at the sight of a pair of Raven, several Stonechats and the realisation that running through stinging nettles in shorts hurts a tonne! When we arrived at the field we were pleased to be put straight onto the bird. It was a Greater Short-toed Lark and was feeding in a ploughed field alongside 20 Meadow Pipit, 20 Skylark, and several Pied Wagtails. It was probably the closest bird too us and showed incredibly well for the socially distanced crowd to see. I didn't realise quite how washed out their plumage can be and it was actually quite easy to tell them apart from the Skylarks. Above: Greater Short-toed Lark I have to admit that Greater Short-toed Larks are quite special little birds and I am quite pleased to have finally seen one, but before long we had to run back to the car in order to head to our next destination. We eventually arrived at Pulborough at around 10:30 before heading off towards the heathland just outside the entrance to the reserve. The day started off well with Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters seen around a small heathland pond. While Siskin, Goldcrest, and Nuthatch called from the woodland beside us. A Kestrel showed exceptionally well and appeared to take a Lizard from the heath before disappearing up into a tree to finish its meal. We then headed into the main reserve where we soon found ourselves listening to the fluty sound of a singing Woodlark (You can listen to Arjun's Sound recording Here). It was incredible to watch and soon the Woodlark was joined by two more, followed by several Skylarks. We then headed along the main track and soon picked up a Siskin flock which held the days first and only Lesser Redpoll. We then headed down towards a sheltered area that was full of Ivy. The Ivy was absolutely buzzing with life with Ivy Bees, European Hornets, Common Wasps, various Hoverfly sps, Red Admiral's, Small Whites, Speckled Woods and Peacock Butterfly's all using the vital late season nectar that it provides. While all the excitement was going on at ground level a Spotted Flycatcher briefly flicked up into the top of a nearby tree before performing a disappearing act and vanishing into the trees. Above: Ivy Bee We soon headed further into the reserve and found ourselves watching two Hobby catching Migrant Hawkers over the farmland alongside plenty of House Martins and Swallows. A flock of 20 Crossbill flew over and a stonechat was seen distantly, but the highlight for me was the shear number of fresher Clouded Yellow Butterflies. They were literally everywhere although because of the heat none of them would sit still long enough for a photo. That wasn't the case for the Migrant Hawkers or Speckled Woods as both were seen perched nicely. Above: Migrant Hawkers Below: Speckled Wood We then headed towards the view points overlooking the main scrape areas, but not before two flyover Yellowhammers made it onto the day list. When we arrived the pools were full of life with Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Green & Common Sand, Common Snipe and Lapwing all seen which is a great variety for an inland site. A Pintail was a nice addition along with all the regular ducks and geese that you would expect to see at this time of year. After lunch we then headed back to the main reserve passing a Bullfinch along the way as well as adding both Common Blue and Small Copper to our day list. As a first time visiting Pulborough I have to admit it is an exceptional reserve and I will certainly be back at some point. Above: Common Blue with intruding Hover sp Below: Small Copper So that evening I headed down to Bournemouth which was the start of even better things to come! On Monday morning the alarm went at 410am in order to head to Durlston Country Park for a pre dawn ringing sessions. We had the mist nets up before dawn to the sound of Tawny Owls in the wildlife garden. This was to be a busy session of ringing with a late Tree Pipit the highlight as well as ringing my first ever Swallow and Stonechats, both of which are incredible species to see in the hand. Whilst we were ringing there was infact a notable over head migration of passerines such as Yellow Wagtail, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Chaffinch, and plenty of Meadow Pipit. Pied Wagtail and Skylark were also on the move along with plenty of Swallows and House Martins. However the highlight was at around 0745 am when I looked up from just having processed a young Male Blackcap to find a raptor circling in the distance. I simply said "that looks odd" to Gryllo as I caught the under side of the bird. I scrammbled for my camera which was still away in my bag and quickly set it up and fired off a few shots. Gryllo had now joined me in looking at the bird and quickly agreed with my identification as the raptor came ever closer. It was infact a Dark Morph Honey Buzzard and incredible. That defiantly wasn't on the cards at the beginning of the day a cracking bird too as it then continued low over our heads before lazily drifting out into a hazy English Channel and off on its journey south towards the French Coast. What an incredible bird and only my second ever in the UK! Above: Honey Buzzard with a House Martin The day wasn't finished there as Merlin zipped through just before we packed up. After we had packed up we headed to the next headland along by the name of St Aldenham' s Head. Upon arrival there was still a steady stream of Siskin and Meadow Pipits heading over in the direction of Durlston. We set off in search of the bird we had come to see passing plenty of Stonechat and Wheatear along the way. Finally we came to the field and immediately we could see the bird sat in front of us. It was a young Buff-breasted Sandpiper and a first for me. They are often incredibly tame, however this particular one had picked the wrong field as the farm was busy collecting the bails and in the end it was flushed and flew towards the tip of the headland showing off its pale underwing as it did so. Above: Buff-breasted Sandpiper An incredible bird in an equally as incredible place. St Aldenham's head on a day like today was just stunning with views as far as Portland. An incredibly stunning stretch of the SW coast path and well worth a visit. As we headed back to the car park a tiny swift like bird of prey zoomed over us and plunged into the middle of a flock of Linnet sending them scattering in all directions. It was of course a Merlin and what a sight to see as it hurtled through the air at top notch speeds! There was no time to breath as that evening saw us heading onto Canford Tip in order to try and get one last Nightjar session before the season was done and sure enough we were lucky enough to catch and ring a new juvenile bird. We also had several Tawny Owls around the net, but unfortunately none of them played ball. Incredibly the next morning it was back up to Durlston for another ringing session which also featured a new Nightjar being ringed making it the latest bird to be caught and ringed by the Stour ringing group! This was before we ended up with a total of 170 new birds with the big movers of the day being Meadow Pipit, Blackcap and Chiffchaff however 2 Grasshopper Warblers and a Sedge Warbler were a nice surprise! And so as I sit here reflecting on the days that have gone by I have to admit it hasn't been a bad few days with my year list now up to 186 and more importantly my British Life list up to 238 species! I wonder what the next few weeks will bring us, will it be the first returning Redwings or a Gaggle of Geese? We shall have to wait and see! Just a reminder that you can donate to Mya's Walk here:
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AuthorI have been a birder since I was 8 however only really started to be able to go out to places by myself in Summer 2016 (Blame the parents) My blogs will be from all over the place, but mainly from RSPB Rainham Marshes and Totteridge Valley! Photography done by Samuel Levy aged 20. ArchivesCategories |