Honey Buzzard (Ventnor Downs)

A lunchtime visit to the 'downs/Luccombe Down' today produced a Honey Buzzard over at 12:15. I think it came right over me from the south; confusingly two commons were knocking about just prior to the sighting; I was avidly watching one of them (hanging in the air/looked ragged) and I remember clocking a raptor (probably it) flying right over me - the Honey B crossed its line into my field of view and was instantly recognisable, especially in direct comparison with the common buzzard. 

The HB went on to drift east/ENE and away from Luccombe. I was expecting it to come back south but it just kept going. So I put the news out to give any Shanklin to Sandown coastal birders a chance to possibly see it - and sure enough at least one local caught up with it - about 15mins later (12:30) over Sandown - and he photographed it too (appears to be an adult female) - it carried on Northwards towards Brading. 

My earliest one.

Otherwise at Luccombe/Ventnor Downs: Tree pipits have been going over nearly every day (27 west on 15th). Redstarts, spotted flys etc. Pied Flycatcher on Aug 23rd. 

Double-figure Tree Pipit counts: Aug 20th (c24), Aug 22nd(16), Aug 23rd (c25). 

A cracking adult male (Red) Crossbill circled right over me on Aug 21st, calling:

Flock of 11 Tree Pipits (Aug 22nd)

Wasp Spider (Aug 22nd) - never (knowingly) seen one at this south-coast downland site before.