First Pied Fly and Whinchat of the Autumn 21st August 2021

I was unable to get out early in the day and decided to opt for a late afternoon patch walk after the rain showers appeared to have stopped. It was damp, humid and grey, and birds were quiet. However 100’s of Mediterranean Gulls were active over the beach and several Sandwich Terns were moving south

I reached the Freedown and a few warblers were evident including one or two very bright Willow Warblers. Then a nice surprise- a Pied Flycatcher flew into a nearby tree with bare branches. A good but brief view, but then it moved deep into the canopy of the adjacent trees and after one further brief view moved out of sight. The first of the Autumn.

The sun appeared and lit up the cereal fields against the dark clouds. In the nearby fir trees, a Whinchat appeared on top - once again the first for the autumn!

A pair of Bullfinches appeared which is a scarce bird here. A Peregrine flew over and a few Blackcaps were calling from cover.

On the walk back there was another shower! But it did bring out the amazing autumn smell of the Fennel that grows along the beach.