Disappointing Beachy (06 October 2013)

A nice calm warm sunny morning at Beachy appeared ideal for seeing migrants in the bushes.  It probably would have been if we (JK, JFC, DC, BK& I) had not started at Birling.  In six hours I saw Hobby (thanks to Simon), Wood Lark (thanks to Matt), 60 Swallows, 150 House Martins, 5-600 Meadow Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Wheatears, Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 7 Blackcaps, 85 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler, Brambling, 4 Siskins and a Reed Bunting.  Being on the wrong part of the Head we did not see two Bearded Tits, a Yellow-browed Warbler or Red-breasted Flycatcher present for varying short periods between Shooters Bottom and the Beachy Head Hotel (well done Simon, Bob & Tony, grrr!!).  Things were made worse by having to leave at 1pm to visit my dad knowing the Red-breasted Flycatcher had just been seen again, after going missing for over two hours, although the views, at least for the next couple of hours, were very poor.  I'd also hoped to improve on yesterday's poor views of Ring Ouzel but no luck there either and although I was hearing birds flying over I was struggling to determine which direction most were calling from let alone pick them up.  All very disappointing but there is always next weekend ... 

Yellow Wagtail at Birling

Wheatear at Birling