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