The last week in September saw another shift in the migrant calendar with a steady stream of birds passing overhead as the urgency to head south increased. There was also a large influx of Stonechats, a species not normally associated with autumn migration, as well as the first significant movements of Siskins and Meadow Pipits.
The highlight of the week was an Osprey that flew west over Cissbury early morning on Tuesday 23rd and a very late report of a Cuckoo on the northern slopes of the Ring later that day.
Also noteworthy was a party of six Great White Egrets and a Grey Heron seen flying west over Offington Avenue early on 24th, which were then seen 10 minutes later heading inland over Highdown.
The Downs
22/9 - Steyning Round Hill: A significant movement of Meadow Pipits (500+) this morning and an arrival of Stonechat (12), Chiffchaffs (50+), Wheatear (4), Skylark (6), Blackcap with birds moving quickly through. All this activity attracted the intent of a late Hobby but it wasn’t seen to catch anything.
Cissbury: A similar movement of Meadow Pipits and 50+ each of Swallows and House Martins, whilst grounded birds included Spotted Flycatchers (2), Redstart, Reed Warbler, Wheatear and on the southern flank at Chiffchaffs (75+) and Blackcaps (6).
Highdown: The Pied Flycatcher was still present as well as an unusually large count of Stonechat (20).
Sompting: A Whinchat was seen on the edge of the village and 10 Grey Partridge were in the field south of Lambley’s Barn.
23/9 - Cissbury: The Stonechat influx continued with 35+ recorded on the southern slopes of Tennants Hill along with Chiffchaffs (40), Blackcaps (12) and House Martin (25), Swallow (20) and Siskin (5) overhead. Meanwhile the Rifle Butts held single Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Firecrest, and two each of Redstarts and Spotted Flycatcher.
24/9 - Cissbury: A quieter day with only a single House Martin, Swallows (12) and barely any Meadow Pipits overhead, though there was a single Wheatear on the top, whilst the Rifle Butts held Chiffchaffs (20) and Spotted Flycatchers (2).
Highdown: It was another good morning for visible migration with Skylark (7), Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipits (25), Goldfinch (6), Siskin (10) and Swallows (5) all moving east whilst a Whitethroat, Stonechat (7), Chiffchaff (15) and Blackcaps (5) were seen in the bushes.
25/9 - Steyning Round Hill: Grounded migrants included Chiffchaffs (20), Wheatear (9), Stonechats (10) with Skylark (25+), Siskin (15), and Meadow Pipits (150+) overhead as well as a few Swallows, House Martins (5) and a single Sand Martin. A party of six small waders were a most unusual flyover for this location whilst three Lapwing were also noteworthy.
26/9 - Highdown: A short visit early morning was productive with Swallow (166e), House Martin (15e), Yellow Wagtail (1s), Meadow Pipits (29e) and Siskin (21e) overhead and grounded migrants included Chiffchaffs (40), Blackcap (15), Goldcrest (4), Firecrest, Mistle Thrush (3) and Stonechat (7).
Steyning Round Hill: Redstart (1), Wheatear (3), Stonechat (12), Chiffchaffs (10) and an impressive mixed flock of Linnet and Goldfinch, Corn Bunting (100), Skylark (25) and Meadow Pipits (50). A Marsh Harrier flew east late afternoon.
27/9 - Highdown: Grounded migrants included Spotted Flycatchers (6), Chiffchaffs (25), Blackcap (15), Goldcrest (7), Firecrest, Stonechat (7) and Skylark (22+), with Siskin (10) and a Reed Bunting overhead.
Cissbury: Still plenty of Stonechats with at least 15-20 noted along with a couple of Yellowhammers and yet more Meadow Pipits overhead.
Goring / Ferring
22/9 - The week started with a huge passage of hirundines along coast, with other overhead migrants including Yellow Wagtails (4), Siskin (1) and a few Meadow Pipits, whilst several Chiffchaffs were in the tamarisks at Ferring. Additionally a Mediterranean Gull was in the field at the Gap.
23/9 - A Wheatear and Skylark (3) were at Goring Gap, whilst a Marsh Harrier flew south over East Preston.
24/9 - A short seawatch from Ferring beach saw a small movement of wildfowl including Brent Goose (2w), Pintail (2w), Teal (8os) and Shelduck (2w). Meanwhile overhead migrants included Swallow (200e), House Martin (20e), Meadow Pipits (10e), Goldfinch (15e) and Siskin (3e).
25/9 - The big movement of hirundines continued along the coast at Ferring, with an estimate of over 2000 birds seen by late morning, the majority of which appeared to be Swallows.
29/9 - Eastwards passage continued at Goring Gap (07:05- 09:55) with House Martin (c590e), Meadow Pipit (83e), Siskin (79e), Swallow (c180e), Pied Wagtail (19e), Goldfinch (31e), Linnet (10e) and a heard only Tree Pipit. Additionally Stonechat (5+), Wheatear (1) and Skylark (4) were in the fields and Chiffchaffs (c15) in tamarisks.
Offshore three Sandwich Terns were lingering whilst a Great White Egret headed west as well Brent Geese (4w). On the beach Sanderlings (16), Oystercatchers (28), Turnstones (c30) and a single Ringed Plover.
A Wheatear was on the beach a Lancing Green and further west a Hobby, Red Kite (3), Buzzard (6), 24 Siskin (24) and Redpoll (12) flew over an East Preston garden.
