Richard's Pipit, Waxwings and Hawfinch rescue the autumn!

At last some birds can be reported from the headland. A Ring Ouzel feeding in the ploughed field heralded the start of a good couple of days. Sunday produced star bird of the autumn so far; a fine Richard's Pipit flew in from the north, calling before circling the pavements and flying towards the summit. Later in the day, two Waxwing (Pete Alderson) were present briefly in the churchyard. Monday morning saw many birders present and a good haul if birds. The early risers were rewarded with 4 Hawfinches flying over (Alan Davies); only the third known record for the headland. The 2 Waxwing showed well in bright sunshine on wires above the churchyard early morning, while those searching later o'n scored with a very late Yellow Wagtail here. The limestones produced Snow Bunting and Lapland Bunting while many hundreds of finches, including Brambling passed overhead.

Nightjar Nightmare

Alan Davies thought he'd struck gold as he saw a Nightjar type bird flying away from him this morning. However, the bird just continued to fly away from him and wasn't seen again. Qhat chances it being a Nighthawk? We will never know!

Bunting feast!

Although a bit disappointing due to perfect vis mig conditions here were some highlights. These included two Lapland Buntings (Alan Davies), a Snow Bunting and at least 4 Reed Buntings. 2 Tree Sparrow flew over (Alan Davies) while 17 Crossbills were also on the move, including two in the churchyard late afternoon.. 5 Brambling, the first Fieldfare and 20+ Redwing were autumn migrants while the regular birds were joined by Robins, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes overnight. 150+ Chaffinch, 30+ greenfinch, 5 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 4 Great it and a Chiff chaff also on the move. A 'tail-less' lark amongst the Skylarks flying over could have been a Woodlark, but could just have well been a Skylark without a tail!

Heron puzzler!

A probable Purple Heron flew ove rthe limestone pavements this morning. Seen by Pete Alderson he quickly alerted others to a Heron with an 'S' shaped neck, but unfortunately it continued west eluding other birders.
6 Lapland Buntings were still present along with the male Snow Bunting on the limestone pavements some 100 yards along the western cliffs from the car park. Picture by Julian Wheldrake.

Birds on the move - at last!

Despite the gloomy, quiet start this morning things started to pick up as the morning progressed and birds seemed to be on the move all day.

A good showing by the local birders had seven pairs of eyes increacing the count and a combined total of birds included:-

10+ Lapland Buntings (John Roberts 10 and Tom Gravett 1), a cracking male Snow Bunting which was still present mid-afternoon, a male Ring Ouzel along Llys Helyg Drive, a ringtail Hen Harrier (Tom Gravett and Adrian Foster), 17+ Crossbill, 20+ Skylark (inc. 10 in the ploughed field), 750+ Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 40+ Siskin, 100+ Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, 10+ Pied Wagtails, 20+ Redwings, 10+ Mistle Thrushes, 20+ Coal Tits, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Chiffchaffs, Golden Plover, 3 Snipe and the now near resident Stock Dove in the ploughed field. Not a bad day all in all!

Full of eastern promise but nothing delivered.

A frustrating week with good conditions including an earterly airflow during the latter part of the week. Thursday saw two Crossbills and six Brambling over, while two Lapland Buntings were present on Tuesday. Snipe and Stock Dove have been seen most days while a Barn Owl on Tuesday evening giving stunning views was probably the highlight. Things can only get better.

Crosbills highlight of week

Highlight of a quiet week were 17 Crossbills that passed over head on Thursday. One was present on Friday and another seven seen on saturday morning. Treecreepers have been present this week with up to three birds frequenting the headland, one in the cemetery, one in the hawthorns and the bird videod below in the gorse at the northern end. The very bright white supercilium makes me wonder whether the bird is of the 'familiaris' northern race. A Nuthatch is also frequenting the cemetery area, while other birds here this weekend have included up to 8 Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, House Sparrow, 100+ Greenfinch and 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. An excellnt movement of Tits has taken place with 100+ Blue Tits moving through on saturday, including a flock of 56! 18 Long tailed Tit, 4 Coal Tit and 10+ great tits were also part of the movement. The ploughed field has attracted a few birds with a cracking female Yellowhammer present today, a female / 1st winter Reed Bunting yesterday, 2 Skylarks, 5 Wheatear, 100+ Linnets, 50+ Greenfinch, 10+ Pied / White Wagtail, many Meadow Pipits and a super Stock Dove (videod bleow)