Bird Walk, Mottistone Down 17th August 2019

Five members, including one new to the section, enjoyed a walk from the Jubilee NT car park down Strawberry Lane, then taking the footpath to The Longstone. We then wended our way along some footpaths up to Harboro and Mottistone Down and back to our cars. Although it was overcast to begin with it brightened up but the windy conditions persisted resulting in few birds in exposed spots. However, the footpath at the foot of the downs was sheltered and we found a variety of birds which were on migration: Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Yellowhammer, only the odd Swallow and House Martin. At the beginning of the walk we saw two Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel  vying for airspace and a Buzzard. During the course of the morning we also saw or heard Woodpigeon, Pheasant, Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, a juvenile Great Black Backed Gull, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blue Tit, Herring Gull, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin and Jackdaw. A Weasel ran across the path in front of us – my first for the year. 24 bird species. Leader: Jackie Hart