7th

Overnight rain cleared before dawn, leaving a misty, still and cobwebby start to the day that glistened through early dew and raindrops and Whinchats were just about everywhere, perching on every available stem, bush and fence while others emerged from reed-filled ditches to perch inquisitively on the nearest vantage point. Most of the 56 Whinchats that were on the Estate were concentrated at the north end, between the golf course and the road, as were 4 Common Redstarts, though 39 Wheatears were to be found mainly at the southern end. At least 2 Garden Warblers and 30 Blackcaps were in the Whitehouse and 300 or more House Martins swirled about the early golfers, while a Green Sandpipers flew N and a Spotted Flycatcher was in the Elms. By mid day the wind had got up and tall clouds billowed to the west, creating a wholly different day that enticed 4 Common Buzzards to drift N. Additional counts of 8 Whinchats and Wheatears on New Downs concluded a memorable day.

6th

Today was a bit of a watered-down version of yesterday, though with a brisk SE wind to contend with finding birds away from shelter wasn't easy. There was no sign of the Wryneck, but the Wood Warbler, 26 Wheatears, 16 Whinchats, 2 Pied Flycatchers and a Spotted Flycatcher were still present and a Hobby was putting itself about with some gusto early on. Interestingly, a visitor popped in to say that she had seen a juvenile Purple Heron on Worth yesterday.

5th

Another bright day with a light SE breeze brought another good selection of migrants. Pride of place went to the Wryneck, still showing on the fence line bordering the golf course and our fifth Wood Warbler of the autumn in the Elms, while at least 44 Whinchats and 60 Wheatears were scattered about, a Pied Flycatcher was in the Elms and other species of note included a Tree Pipit, a Firecrest, 2 Common Redstarts and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.

4th

The Wryneck was showing well all morning on the fences bordering the golf course and with the easterly airflow well established numbers of chats had increased to 27 Whinchats and at least 30 Wheatears. 80 Blackcaps, 30 Common Whitethroats and 7 Lesser Whitethroats were on the Estate, a Pied Flycatcher was in the Elms, a Common Redstart was seen near the Wryneck and 2 Hobbies were recorded, much to the dislike of gathering numbers of hirundines.

3rd

A calm, bright and eventually warm morning was generally quieter than yesterday, apart from an arrival of 8 Common Redstarts, mainly at the south end of the Estate. Most of the 14 Whinchats had moved to the north, decorating the fences bordering the golf course, 3 Pied Flycatchers remained in the Elms and adjacent bushy bits and a Wryneck was discovered in St.George's bushes late in the afternoon.

2nd

Although the morning felt quieter than yesterday there were still reasonable numbers of migrants on the Estate, including 5 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a Common Redstart, 9 Whinchats, 45 Blackcaps, 14 Lesser Whitethroats, which sadly amounts to a decent arrival these days, and a Grasshopper Warbler that was kicked up from Restharrow Dunes while doing the butterfly transect early in the afternoon.

1st

On a bright and calm start to the new month there were 4 Pied Flycatchers in the Haven first thing, with another 3 in the Elms, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, at least 15 Whinchats and 6 Wheatears around Dickson's Corner, 20 or so Chiffchaffs scattered about the Estate and at least 6 Common Redstarts, three of which were in the hawthorn hedge close to the Observatory.