Vis mig (Swifts)

Vis mig on the 25th (breezy SW and showers) at Luccombe Down included some steady overhead passage; six each of Brambling and Reed Bunting, nine L.Redpoll, 30 Siskin, 200 each of Linnet and Goldfinch, and a Yellowhammer. Other news: Mark Buckley had a swift sp at Haddon's Pits on 24th and likely a 'Pallid'; with another seen at Appley Beach on 25th. 

 

End of October, 31st, Luccombe Down (7am-10:45am), cloudy, breezy SE winds, 15c:

Brambling 6, Reed bunt 7, Siskin 27, L. Redpoll 8, Greenfinch 5, Swallow 13, House Martin 2, Stock Dove 45, Starling 95, Rock Pipit. 

Thrushes

Oct 20th: fieldfare and redwing over; also ring ouzel and song thrush seen; and a late Tree Pipit; Luccombe Down, afternoon.

 https://twitter.com/mrtnrey/status/1582754415429050368?s=20&t=Ffx3JdgWUII3vVpgzRN2Pg

Other local news: Snow bunting has been at Culver (Down/headland) for four days. White Storks (two to three ringed Knepp birds) have been seen in Various spots (Horringford, Merstone; originally Brighstone). 

More Woodlark(s)

Luccombe Down (07:00 - 0930), cloudy, SW. 

Woodlark: Two to three flyover(s), first one at 08:30 and second at 09:15; the latter bird was fairly low down and stalled mid-air, giving great views as well as calling constantly! It probably landed as on the way back to the car I heard and saw one near the car park as it flew off low and west. Another Brambling and Lesser Redpoll, and plenty of siskin (mostly SW), Linnet, and Goldfinch. 

Upcoming:

Vis Mig (Sunrise)

The mornings are probably the best time, visually and aurally. 

My second Woodlark of the autumn flew over on the 12th. Plus, good numbers of siskins...A late-ish Tree Pipit on 6th pricked up my ears. 

Angle Shades (I believe) phlogophora meticulosa

Vis mig (Woodlark)

Luccombe (Ventnor) Down:

7am - 10:50am

SE winds/Cloudy.

South easterlies seem to be ideal for this part of the island with birds moving on a broad front over the downs. The highlight was a calling (flyover) Woodlark, always a nice vis mig bird. Also, a decent movement and variety of species. Totals included (eastward movements): 1,500 Mipits, 59 Skylark, 78 Siskin, 117 Pied/alba wagtails; plus, a couple of Brambling and Reed Buntings; masses of hirundines. 

Sound of early autumn, mipits and Brambling. And a Video snippet: