West high down

The forecast was a dry start turning to wind and rain later, and sure enough it was. So I headed to WHD early to take advantage of the drier conditions and walked along the north fence line.

The highlights were tree pipits (5) and yellow wags (2), the former going south and latter seen pitching into a nearby field. Also 3 wheatear present. But nothing scarcer of note. Yellowhammers were nice to see with 3 present one of which looked to be a juv.

Although I was primarily focused on recording the Yellowhammer call it was interesting to pick up other species. In fact you can just make out tree pipit flight calls (high up so distant in the mix). Also a bullfinch amongst other things. 

Day off 1

Brading (afternoon)

The morning was foul weather-wise: persistent rain, so stayed in. However later on there was a break and it brightened up (for an hour or so anyway). So headed to brading nr.

Along the embankment f/p to the pools two wheatear gave me hope, closely followed by quite a showy lesser whitethroat with two less showy common whitethroats. I persevered but nothing else of note lurking in the scrub. The pools had risen quite high after the rainfall, so nothing in the way of any notable waders either.

But despite the dearth there I thought i'd carry on and head down laundry lane to the old sea wall; I've had wryneck along there before so it had to be worth a shot. As soon as I got there stuff was flittering about, so again filled me with hope. A quick scan and another lesser whitethroat showed well, plus 3 spotted fc along the fence line, 1 redstart, a few chiffs and ww. Methodically I worked my way along. With cattle nearby it wasn't long before I heard and saw my first yellow wags of the autumn with at least 10. Green sandpiper heard too.

Nice to see some common grounded migrants though and bit more activity as it's been a bit quiet there of late.

imm/1st winter redstart, old sea wall

 

 

Slightly overshadowed by a raucous green woodpecker

Shanklin down Luccombe area

Fairly productive with dry overcast calm conditions:

7 redstart (4m 3f)
1 whinchat
5 tree pipit (3 of which alighted the trees; 2 buzzed over high)
2 gropper (heard)
2 wheatear
4 spotted f/c

 

Willow warblers were ubiquitous...

and Ravens are cool any day of the week: juv?

 

 

Had Monday and Tuesday off

Tried Shanklin down yesterday but being wet and murky didn't really inspire much so moved on to Brading. Green sandpiper heard and marsh harrier seen. Also visited sandown canoe lake and a few gulls were pitching in but mostly herring and one juv GBB. 1 Sedge warbler heard and then seen.

Again conditions drizzly/murky today, but went back to Brading and had a good look round on both sides of the marsh. A few ww's greeted me along Gander down. Then heard green sandpipers: four were in flight over the main marsh and up for a few minutes. Nothing much on the airport side save a yellowhammer singing. More willow warblers along the old sea wall.
New bridge pools had 1 lrp and 1 common sand.

digiscoped

 

Tuesday 4th august

Tried St cath's as windy with occasional showers. Sea seemed very quiet in the two hours I looked out there. A quick look around the headland produced 1 wheatear, my 1st of the autumn.