Hengistbury 29th August

Highlights were Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchats, Whimbrel, Yellow Wagtail, Redstart and plenty of Whitethroats.

A great walk today with plenty of migrants around. The weather was cloudy and mild. As we walked towards Barn Field groups of Swallows and Martins flew over. We stopped for 10 minutes or so to look at Barn Field and this paid dividends. There were several Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler in the bramble bushes and then Lyz found a Spotted Flycatcher in the clump of trees. Looking out over Wick hams we found a Whimbrel on the ground with a Little Egret and a Reed Bunting in the reeds. As we watched a few more Whitethroat passed by working their way towards the end of the head. We walked to the cliffs pausing briefly to look at a Parasol Mushroom, and saw 2 Wheatear near the cliff edge. 6 Sandwich Tern flew over as we approached the cliffs and a group of 19 Black-tailed Godwit flew off Stanpit and headed south. The Whimbrel set off with them, but turned back and settled on Stanpit.
We then walked towards the wood seeing a few Common Blue butterfly and a Fox moth caterpillar. As we stopped to look at the caterpillar we saw 2 Whinchat and a Stonechat in the scrub and bracken. As we got to the wood a green Woodpecker flew up off the grass and there were a few smaller birds here. More Whitethroat and a male Redstart. We walked to the beach huts, but saw little more. On the way back there were a few more Wheatear and Sandwich Terns. A great morning!
Simon Curson.