Mostly raptors

After yesterday's good birding along the cliffs, a change in the wind meant that there was little to be seen apart from more Siskins flocking north, a Peregrine across the cliff and three Sparrowhawks flying out to sea.
Things were so quiet that we spent time checking that this was indeed a Herring Gull, as it had very little black on its wing-tips.

We walked inland a little and things quickly picked up, with a Hobby hunting over the harvested cornfieldand at least two Whinchats flitting among the bales. Even in search of a better photo, SteveR used his stalking skills, with success.
Back home, a pile of pigeon feathers showed that a raptor had been there - all shafts had been neatly cut.

Later, we called in at Fowlmead, mainly to check the fungi , but a distant raptor caught our eye and as it came nearer it became clear that it was a Honey Buzzard. Its approach stalled over the village of Worth which has some tall trees, and it circled over these for 40 minutes, occasionally flying lower, occasionally very high, then eventually flew towards the sea putting up flocks of birds as it went. It was last seen over Sandwich.

A lovely weekend

'An excellent day'

The Bockhill report said it was 'an excellent day' and we were pleased to meet Jack and some of the Bockhill boys on the cliffs. There was much visible migration as the light wind had turned to the north, and we shared some of their sightings including many dozens of Siskins flying north (mostly flying in dozens we noticed), a Redstart, a handful of Tree Sparrows, a variety of warblers including Reed and a very pleasing Lesser Whitethroat.
[Technical aside - if you pay £250 for a camera you might get this kind of shot above; if you pay a little more you might get these kinds of shots:....skill may come into it as well of course]

A mixture of seven Med gulls and twelve Sandwich Terns was on the beach, while a steady stream of Sandwiches and Commons flew south.
It was cool and dewy early in the morning....
...but warmed up into a beautiful day.

Yeoman's Field

A new fence has been erected around a recently-cleared piece of scrubland at the end of Victoria Road. To arms, villagers! Phyllis, grab your pitchfork!
But hold on, what's this? Cornflowers and a host of other wild flowers, albeit in a scrubby state?
The sign on the gate says it's 'Yeoman's Field', Kingsdown's conservation project.
Reference to the parish council's website provides more information, about a five-year plan for sensitive protection, so congratulations to those involved.

Red Campion (hybridised with white to give pink)

Hardheads

Back at the seafront, there's been varied migratory activity along the rifle range (or the undercliff, which is a far better name and one I shall use forthwith).
We benefitted little from the aftermath of the winds that brought rarities to the north-east coast, but there were Red-backed Shrikes at Sandwich, and we saw mixed falls here too - albeit more common species like Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers and Robins (and that was just in one small bush), with Wheatears all along the sea wall.
The next day thay had all gone, but there was plenty of movement on the sea with a SE wind, the highlight being three light-phase adult Arctic Skuas flying together along the clifftop giving good views, but disappearing around the headland before the camera was ready.
There is a new flush of butterflies, with Red Admirals and Painted Ladies in greater numbers than previously this summer.
And we have a long-staying Common Sandpiper along the wall.

A Blustery Day

With strong winds and occasional heavy showers my eyes turned to the sea, and although any shearwaters must have been beyond the range of my binoculars there was plenty to see inshore.

On the rocks was a flock of gulls which included 21 Sandwich Terns and 7 Common Terns, noisily comparing their different calls - Sandwich Terns can be heard in the village when the wind is right.

Sandwich Tern with a ring

The Mediterranean Gull on the right has a metal ring on the right leg, and a green C/R on the left, while the one below might have one on its left leg but it's not going to let us see.
Also on the sea this week were an Eider duck (rarely seen down here), and more distantly two Red-Throated Divers and a Great Skua.
To add a little colour....

a late, small Goatsbeard

Bryony

Hare's-Foot Clover

Sea Spurge and Fennel

and something else - anyone?

Eats leaves and shoots

As an antidote to the foul English weather, here's some photos taken by my daughter in China recently. It's in a reserve which is being protected for Pandas, who seem to be doing nicely there.
Rather a contrast to the bleak concrete of London Zoo when ChiChi was there.
My daughter reports that the bears strip off the bamboo leaves and eat them first, followed by the shoots. The phrase should therefore be 'Eats Leaves and Shoots' but that rather scrambles the meaning.

It relaxing to watch a Panda contentedly tucking in to a pile of bamboo - Zen-like.

Flit

While clearing out an old shed, I found this tin which made me shudder. The price written on it (4s10d) shows its age, and the slogan is quite correct - Flit KILLS.


Most of the text is right too, although the claim that it was harmless when used as directed is perhaps contentious.
Perhaps they should have added that 'the little bugs run and hide, but die later and are eaten by higher animals, so decimating the whole food chain.

That's all in the past now - or is it? A campaign to allow the use of DDT in the Third World to fight malaria, denge fever and other diseases is being fought with great intensity on both sides.
I couldn't possibly comment.