November 08

                      Total number of species for the year 191

29th

No birds apart from 10 or so Fulmars prospecting the cliffs for next year's nest sites.

27th

Not much activity today apart from 32 Goldfinches,30 Siskins and 8 Crossbills moving southwest and a nice male Brambling in the Paddock Pines.

22nd

Offshore, in a very strong northerly, we had divers,auks,several species of duck,a Great Skua, 15+fulmars and of note a Slavonian Grebe that swam towards Kingsdown where a Goldeneye,another first for the year, was seen by Gerald.

      191 equals our previous record number of species that we had in 2006

16th

Very little vis.mig. today, however on such a dull day we had quite an assortment of species.A Short-eared Owl was flushed from the cliff-top,5 House Martins 'hawked' insects,2 Snow Buntings flew south-west and a Grey Wagtail (kosnetters please note) flew north. Elsewhere there was a Water Rail, only our 4th record and the 1st for this year, a Black Redstart,5 Firecrests,4 Goldcrests,23 Long-tailed Tits and a beautiful male Bullfinch.

At sea 14 Ostercatchers and 104 Brent Geese flew downchannel whist 3 Mediterranean Gulls fed off of the Undercliff.

15th

Next to no birds today, only a handfull of finches moving south-west and in the area were 3 Stonechats,8 Goldcrests and 3 House Martins.However, the visibility being absolutely amazing, one could see 60+ Seals laying on the Goodwins at low tide.

11th

Very few birds today which is not surprising after last nights gale and pouring rain.

In the farm wood there was a Chiffchaff and 10 Goldcrests. A flock of 47 Redwings was the only migration of note.

9th

A dissappointing day with a few finches moving south-west as well as 74 Stock Doves, 6 Swallows and a Woodlark. In the area were 5 Chiffchaffs, 18 Goldcrests and a Coal Tit....continental?

8th

In a very strong south-westerly we had 830 Goldfinches, 37 Chaffinches,

4 Brambling, 189 Siskins,53 Redpolls,11 Stock Doves and 8 Crossbills all flying into the wind.

Around the area we had 4 Swallows, 8 Rock Pipits,3 Black Redstarts, 2 Ring Ouzels,

4 Chiffchaffs,38 Goldcrests,35 Long-tailed Tits and would you believe it, new for the year, a Moorhen.

5th

Fewer thrushes today in the Paddock but around the farm we had 30 Goldcrests and 1 Firecrest. On the cliff-top between 10.30-11.30 there were 469 Goldfinches,

28 Redpolls, 2 Swallows and 2 Pink-footed Geese flying north.

4th

In the Paddock were 120 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings, 50 Blackbirds and a Ring Ouzel.

Elsewhere were 3 Black Redstarts, a Stonechat and 50 Goldcrests. Flying north were 24 Lapwings and a Golden Plover.

3rd

Far fewer birds today with only 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 25 Goldcrests and 2 Firecrests.

2nd

We started this morning in horrible weather and near darkness. Around the area we had 7 Stonechats plus the Siberian,30 Robins,3 Blackcaps,11 Chiffchaffs,96 Goldcrests,5 Firecrests and many thrushes including 2 Ring Ouzels. Overhead there were good numbers of Fieldfares, Golfinches, Siskins and Redpolls. This Common Redpoll,that used to be called 'Mealy', dropped in to have it's photo taken.

Also of note were 4 Crossbills,2 Brambling and 12 Little Gulls that flew over the Droveway.

When the light had improved we watched from the cliff-top and had several birds coming in. A Hen Harrier,2 Sparrowhawks,a Shore Lark,Black Redstart,Yellow Wagtail,2 Swallows and a Snow Bunting that obligingly sat down on the cliff before flying inland.

At sea there was a steady flow of Geese and Ducks, plus 1 Red-throated and 2 Black-throated Divers.

Two Harbour Porpoises also seen on several occasions.

1st

We were only able to bird for an hour before the pouring rain drove us from the Farm down to the Bay where we could seawatch. Before our departure we had

200+ Fieldfares, a Ring Ouzel, Firecrest and many Goldcrests.

At sea we had quite a few ducks ,c.1000 Brent Geese, 3 Black-throated Divers and

2 Great Skuas. We also had  5 Black-tailed Godwits, another new species for the year.

The Siberian Stonechat is still present in the same place