Willow Warbler, Hill Road

 August is the time Willow Warblers start to appear at Beachy Head. This one briefly inhabbited the Willow screen in our garden.

The Chalkland Heath, Birling Gap

Despite the dry and the heat, there is still a good expanse of flowering heather on the top of The Lookout, near Birling Gap.

Corn Bunting

Dunnock

Small White

Extensive growth of Wild Parsnip

Silver-spotted Skipper
 

Swallows, Friston Gallops

The easing of temperatures over the last few days has allowed for some simply glorious summer weather, particularly as afternoon slips into evening. 

The Gallops have been managed in three grazing blocks for the last few years, and the flowers have responded in a spectacular way. The northern field has breeding Skylark and a group of Swallows were attracted by the abundant insect life. Juveniles perched along the fence while the adults worked hard to feed them.

A flypast by an adult

This marvellous Willow Warbler joined the group.

Much excitement and flapping of wings, as an adult approaches with food.

Disappointment for some

Collared Dove

 

West Rise Marsh

Another glorious morning, perfect for a last minute decision to vistit West Rise Marsh.

Swift! One of about a dozen. Will they be my last of 2026? There were also Sand Martins.

Canada Geese, with a lone Greylag.

Great Crested Grebe

More Canada Geese

Migrant Hawker. There were dozens of this species present.

The lake

Reed Warbler

Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, patch tick!

Cormorant

Marsh Harrier

Tufted Duck

These cows were not too sure about me. the pale brown in the second photo decided against me. Time for a swift move on...

Patch tick! Greenshank, with Yellow-legged Gull also new today, my West Rise patch total is now 125.

Reed Bunting

Reed Warbler

Wheatear, an Autumn migrant and a year tick!
 

The Lookout, Birling Gap

 Another beautiful day. An earlish walk from Birling Gap to Horseshoe Plantation in search of Wasp Spiders. None were found, but the recent emergence of Silver-spotted Skippers and Adonis Blues was excellent compensation, with a Dartford Warbler too. The grazing regime along this area of chalk grassland has been fantastic at promoting a wonderful swathe of flowers, despite the heat and drought.

Silver-spotted Skippers!

Adonis Blue

Meadow Brown

Adonis Blue

Goldfinch

Meadow Brown

Chalkhill Blue

Chalkhill Blues

Small Copper

Chalkhill Blue and Small Skipper

Queen Anne's Lace

A 'Grey' Painted Lady

Meadow Pipit

Female Chalkhill Blue

Male Chalkhill Blue

Common Blue (left) and Adonis Blue

Common Whitethroat

Soapwort

Possibly Black-shouldered Shieldbug Carpocoris purpureipennis