HIGHDOWN: A morning walk at Highdown featured a Reed Bunting, six Stonechats, four Yellow Wagtails, 62 Meadow Pipits, two Bullfinches, seven Goldcrests, a Whitethroat, 10 Blackcaps, nine Chiffchaffs, nine House Martins, 24 Swallows, a Sand Martin, two Skylarks, a Buzzard, a Kestrel and two Mallards (DKC).
STEEP DOWN: Late in the afternoon I took a brief stroll around Steep Down, logging another six Stonechats, six Meadow Pipits, a Corn Bunting, 70 Linnets, 30 Goldfinches, a Whitethroat, two Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, two Kestrels and a Buzzard (DKC). Also Whinchat, Raven, 19 Stonechats, six Yellow Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 20 Greenfinches, 70 Linnets, 40 Goldfinches, 50 Swallows, six Chiffchaffs, Buzzard and Kestrel (BirdTrack).
MILL HILL: A Spotted Flycatcher was around near the car park, plenty of Chiffchaffs, Blackcap and Whitethroat moving through and small groups of House Martins moved over eastwards, the main highlights were butterflies, pretty quiet initially on the butterfly front with just a few Small Heath and Meadow Browns seen. As it warmed up, i managed to find 3 Wall Browns which showed nicely. Whilst watching these 2 blue butterflies flew past pretty quickly chasing each other. I managed to get a fairly good view as they went past and appeared very small and Greyish in appearance and i was convinced they were Long-tailed Blues, unfortunatley they did not land but having seen this species abroad i cannot think what else they could be. This was by the car park taking the gravel path to the right towards the road in front of the small wooded area. The butterflies flew towards the road. Worth checking out if in the area (NB)
