Beachy Head 21/08/2018

This morning I visited Beachy Head, followed later by a trip to Holywell, Eastbourne. Beachy Head was quite windy, and therefore there were not many passerines around, but patience showed up a handful of species, the most exciting of which was clearly a MELODIOUS WARBLER which turned almost exactly where yesterday's bird appeared - in the row of bushes between the toilet block and the radio mast. It showed well for about five minutes actively feeding on the plentiful elderberries, defying all efforts of photography (well done to the 'Beachy Birder' who got some shots yesterday) before vanishing despite efforts to relocate the bird. Apart from that bit of excitement, there was not a lot around, although there seemed to be numerous Swallows, House and Sand Martins flying around the cliffs and buildings. A Kestrel and a Buzzard formed the raptor list, and, although another birder I met had seen a Peregrine, I failed to find one.

Belle Tout lighthouse from the visitor centre car park