Hawfinches

November kicked off with more Hawfinches: x3 this morning (Nov 1st) seen and heard together over Ventnor at 07:12 [c18 so far since end of September]. Plus, some reasonable vis-mig atop the downs including an unseen calling Golden Plover. 

November 4th: another heard only Hawfinch over Ventnor (just after 7am) that involved possibly more than one bird. Also, the highlight atop Luccombe Down was two Woodlarks: one heard and seen flying Eastwards at 08:03; followed by another single flushed from the ground and northwards (calling) at 08:45.

November 5th: a single Hawfinch went over Luccombe Farm (fields) NE at 13:36. And a Black Redstart along Leeson Rd (Ventnor) this morning...

November 6th: Another Hawfinch (heard only/calls) near Luccombe Copse (east side of downs) at 08:08am. And a Brambling, Redwing etc....

And my first Fieldfares (x2) on Oct 30th:

And numerous Blackbirds no doubt from further afield:

One of 5 Hawfinch over Victoria Tower this morning, that’s 21 so far in the last week 😁 good numbers passing through us, mimicking that of Southern England.@BirdGuides @NatTrustJersey @Soc_Jersiaise @BirdTrack @jsynationalpark #BirdsSeenIn2024 pic.twitter.com/coW6VfWSfp

— Jersey Birding (@Jerseybirding) October 30, 2024

HUME'S warbler and Sibe Chiff (Ventnor)

Yesterday (Saturday Oct 26th) Steve Jones put news out of a Yellow-browed Warbler and a possible Hume's Warbler, both along Bath Road in Ventnor. I got down there from midday or so - where quite a gathering of local birders had formed (plus, the odd visiting birder too) - and we all soon got to see and hear them in the area; often favouring a clump of sycamore and ash; but ranging further at times. Gradually, with the reasonable views and listening to calls for comparison, we soon gained enough confidence to definitely say one was indeed a Hume's; an excellent find for SJ and great to share it with a bunch of locals. A bonus later on was suddenly hearing a calling Sibe Chiff just across the road from the Hume's - and at one point both ended up together in a tree right above us too?! Plus a random Ring Ouzel briefly landed nearby for good measure....A very memorable day. 

The Hawfinch daily tally continues to build with more flyover(s). One particular single seen over Nansen Hill and Luccombe Copse on Oct 28th showed very well as it circled round above me, calling frequently - seen to depart southwards over the tree tops. [c12 birds so far...].

The areas the Hume's kept faithful to - Ventnor

More Hawfinch (Oct 28th) - including this single over - seen and heard.

And a heard only on Oct 29th:

Southern England is experiencing an influx of Hawfinch, with bumper sightings of the species during the second half of October: https://t.co/8PCiTIEGHs

— BirdGuides (@BirdGuides) October 29, 2024

Who will be this year's Standard Chartered Public Favourite Weather Photographer of the Year?

Vote for Evening Shower Over the Needles by Jamie Russell at https://t.co/ENHnhMZwIo. pic.twitter.com/4XCMK6Wob3

— Royal Meteorological Society (@RMetS) October 15, 2024

Yellow-browed Warbler (Whale Chine)

The highlight this morning was a calling (if brief) Yellow-browed Warbler that must have randomly pitched-in (more or less) right next to me?! As I was walking along the coastal footpath not far from the cliff edge - it called three times at least - but tricky to see - it then fell silent. However, a minute or so later I heard it call again much further East of me. It was obviously passing through following the coast-line as any cover there amounts to longish grass and patches of scrub; and certainly no trees between there and Blackgang. Never had a vis-mig type one before; seems to be a YBW autumn! Plus some good passage totals in general (to tot up)...... 

Where the YBW was last heard - looking east towards Chale

Yellow-browed Warbler number FIVE ringed @CareysSecret ringing station this AM @DorsetBirdClub @BirdGuides pic.twitter.com/J1XGI8q9Nd

— Birds of Poole Harbour (@harbourbirds) October 23, 2024

Hawfinches Ventnor Downs

Today's (Oct 23rd) highlights were two separate Hawfinch encounters: firstly two flyovers (S.W over Nansen Hill at 08:12) followed by four in the trees at Luccombe Copse nr Corner Cottage - seen to leave southwards calling at 09:40. [Making it nine in total so far - on the back of three singles earlier this autumn]. 

Yesterday, (Oct 22nd) a static vis watch (also Nansen) saw quite a substantial movement of Woodpigs [5,125] south/s.w. Plus, bits and bobs going over including Bramblings (x9).

Vocal four in the Luccombe Copse trees - seen to fly off southwards:

Late October Wood Pigeon fest - movements over S.W in the 1000s 

Clouded Yellow (flighty) Bonchurch Down - 24/10

Although not rare by any means, first time I've seen a Blackcap outside of my window - smart male to boot.

Richard's Pipit SCP

A couple of days ago (October 15th), George found a Richard's Pipit along the coast and just west of the Lighthouse, which again was seen and heard later the same day by Ian & Ollie. I got down there mid-morning the following day (Oct 16th) during a spell of sunny weather, and sure enough I got to experience it too - albeit somewhat briefly and also just west of the Lighthouse: it came up from the long grass next to the footpath, calling away, and seen to fly towards the cliff edge before turning back towards me - whereby it finally dropped out of sight back into the long grass. I did manage to get a sound recording and noted various features (large pipit shape/long tail/proportions/contrasts/head pattern etc) when it was airborne. 

Sonogram - anthus richardi [16/10/24]

Ring Ouzel(s) Marsh Harrier & Hawfinch(s)

This morning (Oct 3rd) my first Ring Ouzel of the autumn was just below the top fence line of Bonchurch Down - calling away and seen in flight going eastwards towards Nansen Hill; perhaps not surprising on the back of the NE/ENE winds; the odd song thrush looked fresh-in too. Another highlight was a departing Marsh Harrier (female type) initially seen being mobbed by a couple of corvids over Nansen, circled over me before heading southwards and straight out to sea at 08:38: next stop France?! Also: 100 mipits, hirundines, Siskin, Goldfinch, Reed bunt, GS Woodpecker, and my first Brambling of the autumn. 

Oct 4th (S. Easterlies), Luccombe Down (7am-8:45am): Hawfinch over calling (07:45); second of the autumn. Plus: single Ring Ouzel, first Redwings, 100s/1000+ swallows/House Martins/mipits (Eastwards), Grey Wagtail, Skylarks etc. 

Oct 5th: Luccombe Down A.M & P.M, Southerly breeze/sunny/cloudy: good raptor selection included a Merlin east at 08:08 followed by an adult Hobby in from the north, south, then west. Plus sprawks, kestrels, and buzzards, all quite active. Plenty of hirundines and mipits, finches (Siskin, linnet, chaffinch etc), one Yellowhammer (NE), and the odd Jay etc. A brief visit later on: 1x Redstart and whinchat. 1x Painted Lady, Wall, and a couple of commas.  

Oct 6th: Another Hawfinch (poss two) over, Luccombe Down, calling. Plus, the usual selection of finches, mipits, and hirundines etc...Reasonable numbers and steady. Mixed weather with heavy showers at times. 

Sky-high Marsh Harrier departing southwards from Bonchurch Down - early morning Oct 3rd.

Hawfinch (sonogram) - Oct 4th - more distant than the previous September bird.

Haddon's Pits

Ventnor - early October, nice spell of weather - though it's about to change

White-tailed Eagle, G818, is back after spending the summer in Scotland. She is now nearly an adult. ⁦@DorsetWildlife⁩ ⁦@DorsetBirdClub⁩ pic.twitter.com/Mnn9igvUnB

— CHOG (@CHOG_birds) October 7, 2024

Hawfinch (sound recorded) and Harrier sp (Ringtail)

Nansen Hill and Luccombe Down, 06:50 - 08:50, SSW breeze, overcast, some rain.

An interesting early morning vis-mig session and wander. Mipits and hirundines were on the move westwards and immediately obvious, plus Tree Pipits (10+), Yellow Wags, Siskin, and Reed Bunting overhead. One of the highlights was a calling Hawfinch that suddenly landed in the trees near me at the top of Nansen Hill (around 7:30am); and after a couple of minutes it took flight again eastwards/SE and out of view. Mark B had one at Blackgang the other day, so perhaps it's going to be an autumn/winter for them? [My last one, also over Ventnor Downs, was on November 10th, 2021].

More frustrating was a Ringtail Harrier sp that came in from the WNW, low down, and carried on eastwards low over the trees towards Nansen; however, it turned southwards and dropped out of sight towards Bonchurch (around 08:15); and I didn't see it again. Most views were of its upperparts and going away from me - but ultimately, views were not conclusive beyond that of it being a 'ringtail'.

Also: Blackcaps and Chiffs have been well represented in the area with 100+ around, plus Firecrest (12+), Goldcrest starting to increase, and Robins & Blackbirds etc.

Hawfinch - video (phone) - audio of it calling (ripped) - Sept 25th (and Oct 4th).

Close to October - starting to feel and look autumnal