A very autumnal feel earlier in the week with a couple of days of heavy rain and cold northerly winds has switched at the end of the week to calmer conditions but with clear skies and much colder nights.
I went to Black Down this morning without too much promise, but it was very picturesque at 7am with the sun just rising and very quiet too !. I did hear plenty of Chiffchaffs and over the next couple of hours saw up to 30. In the central area of the site, I saw 2 Spotted Flycatchers in with a Tit flock containing many Chiffchaffs and some of the local Stonechats and Dartford Warblers put in an appearance as did 3 Tree Pipits. Walking to the Southern end which is normally my best bet for migrants was extremely quiet I saw one more Spotted Flycatcher at the southern end with 2 more Stonechat but nothing else until I had returned back to the central area of scattered Pines.
In the same area as earlier, a larger number of Chiffchaff seemed to be around with even more Spotted Flycatchers which I counted 9 and were possibly more and the bonus of a nice Pied Flycatcher which gave some good views before seemingly melting away, always a nice bonus bird here inland in autumn. I found a single Willow Warbler with all the Chiffchaffs but the flock soon moved away but I did catch 4 Crossbills before I left, so a decent morning.
Another surprise at home in the afternoon when I found a Turtle Dove under the feeders, it seemed to hang around for 2 or 3 hours. It wouldn't surprise me if this is one of the same birds I saw in May when I think it just dropped into feed having just arrived, so I'm assuming this bird is filling up before its long flight to Africa.
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| A view to the South West |
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| Great Spotted Woodpecker |
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| Spotted Flycatcher |
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| Spotted Flycatcher |
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| Pied Flycatcher |
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| Pied Flycatcher |
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| Pied Flycatcher |
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| Spotted Flycatcher |
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| Willow Warbler |
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| Turtle Dove at home |
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| Turtle Dove |
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