Undeniably autumnal now. The first Grey Wagtail of the season was over the garden yesterday, while on Friday morning conditions were perfect for a fall of migrants. I could only squeeze 25 minutes’ walk before work, but saw around 180 hirundines (including 2+ Sand Martins) gathered on lines behind Place Farm and a scattering of at least half-a-dozen Willow Warblers around the village.
Ah, August sun...
Not far away, also on Friday, Jon and Liam Curson saw a couple of female Marsh Harriers just North of Seaford (per SOS sightings). It’s an interesting feature of late summer that Marsh Harriers gather in places on the Downs – I remember being pleased to come across one quartering the arable at Balsdean (nr Rottingdean) about 10 years ago, thinking I’d turned up something pretty special, only to find out later that someone had seen four in the same area.
Earlier in the week, a Hobby flew over Glynde Station early in the morning. Amazing how much more you see when your eyes are desperately cast upwards for storks.
Firle Birds 