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At last, I finally got to grips with my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year, chasing insects on top of the hill at St. Catherine’s Point this afternoon. I had a couple of hours to kill this afternoon before I saw my next client at 5.30pm and so I chose St. Catherine’s Point for possible migrants.
Unfortunately, because of the holiday season, there was a consistent stream of ‘grockles’ walking down the hill leading to the lighthouse but it didn’t stop me searching for migrants. The weather was a little odd as there was hardly any wind but the sky was very dark over a dead calm sea, therefore, I didn’t bother sea watching.
I stood near the entrance to the Lighthouse overlooking the hill to the north and watched anything that moved. Overhead, the calls of House Martens grabbed my attention and amongst them, I counted at least six Swifts all heading west.
Checking the brambles, I counted at least six Common Whitethroats flitting around the bushes but the elusive Wrens (still need them as a month tick!) wouldn’t show! Bugger! I good search further up the hill, I found a superb moulting male Redstart chasing insects by the edge of a leafless bush. This was a month tick and I gratefully watched this colourful gem flash its tail feathers as it darted from branch to branch. Looking further up near the summit of the hill, I clocked my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. The bird was busy chasing flying insects of which were extremely plentiful, including many buggers biting me on the arm! The area must have been a migrants dream as clouds of flying insects were everywhere. A Migrant Hawker dragonfly was patrolling the road, flying within inches of where I stood up and down the road.
Other birds present included a noisy Green Woodpecker flying over the hill. I caught sight of a Common Buzzard twice today during my travels. Though not a great deal else seen today, probably an early morning session would be best here?
An odd looking fly seen near the lighthouse today.
