autumnal summary

Now that November is upon us, I feel it is appropriate to go over another truly rubbish autumn at the Downs . . .

This autumn has been complete PANTS without even a Northern Wheatear to show for my efforts.

It could have been a mega autumn had two possibles, both Warbler species, would show for a teeny bit longer:

the first MEGA that got away, which would be a stunning first for the Downs was a possible Barred Warbler 28/09/2009.

the other was a probable Cetti's Warbler shortly afterwards, 15/10/2009. I am fairly confident that it was one, it's just one of those records where you just didn't get quite a long enough view of claim the bird.

Looking over to the birds that have been confirmed, the highlight must have been the 21/09/2009 BRAMBLING which, to my knowledge, was the first record of the autumn/winter for Surrey and London. It was certainly early.

First dates of classic autumn vis mig species are as follows

SISKIN 12/10/2009
SKYLARK 12/10/2009
REDWING 15/10/2009

01/10/2009 saw a subad/ad GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL fly over and one ad/subad flew over 05/09/2009.

A female REED BUNTING that was present 27/09/2009 was a highlight as was a TREE PIPIT that flew over 10/09/2009. A single, low, south bound COMMON BUZZARD 21/09/2009 was another. GREY WAGTAIL was noted with 1 @ 25/09/2009.

MEADOW PIPITS were noted in small numbers on and off. 2 @ 16/10/2009, 2-4 @ 29/09/2009, 1 @ 28/09/2009, 1 @ 25/09/2009, 1 @ 21/09/2009 and 1 @ 17/09/2009.

GREY HERONS were noted with two over 27/09/2009 and one 24/09/2009 over.

Counts of hirundines peaked at c.48 SWALLOWS and c.45 HOUSE MARTINS 22/09/2009.

LINNETS started appearing in late August and peaked at 11 @ 06/10/2009.

A female PHEASANT flushed at 'South Dartford Scrub' 22/09/2009 was a pleasant surprise. 28/10/2009 a male PHEASANT with a short tail along with a female were flushed at Bikers' followed by a sighting of the male being very obliging in an oak 01/10/2009 at Bikers'.

No COMMON CHIFFCHAFFS were recorded past 01/10/2009. This species peaked at c.9 11/09/2009.

BLACKCAP was last noted reliably 12/10/2009. 5+ @ 30/08/2009 was the peak count of this species.

c.19 ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS 03/11/2009 in a single flock was the peak count.

Up to 20 COMMON GULLS 03/11/2009 was a good count for this relatively uncommon fly-over.

A single immature SPARROWHAWK has been seen on and off this autumn.

BULLFINCHES were present on and off. Of interest to the writing date (04/11/2009) there haven't been any noted since 01/10/2009, although there was a significant gap in recording in October. Singles were noted 01/10/2009, 11/09/2009, 10/09/2009, 05/09/2009. Two birds were noted 22/09/2009, 28/09/2009, 29/09/2009.
2+ on both 30/08/2009 and 25/09/2009 were the peak counts.

2 TREECREEPERS and 3 COAL TITS 30/08/2009 were the all time high counts for both species. 3 COAL TITS were also noted 28/09/2009.

Peaks of GREEN WOODPECKERS were 5+ on both 11/09/2009 and 05/09/2009. By the end of September, numbers had dropped and just 1 - 1+ birds were being noted on every visit.

LONG-TAILED TITS numbered c.30 and possibly above this autumn especially towards the end.

CHAFFINCHES were not recorded in great numbers with peak counts of 10+ 22/09/2009 and 10/10/2009 all settled. 7 GREENFINCHES 01/10/2009 was the peak for this species.

06/10/2009 saw the peak of MAGPIES at up to 26, mostly in one gathering.

06/10/2009 saw 200-300 JACKDAWS fly to roost and on the same date 18-19 GOLDFINCHES flew over.

2 COLLARED DOVES over North Enclosure 29/09/2009 was the only record this autumn.

I shan't go into much more now, if I'm in the mood another day I may give some more peak counts purely as they are useful to the recorder.