Summer 2024 Update: A few bright spells

Although it wasn’t the ‘scorcher’ which some readers may have hoped for, summer 2024 delivered enough bright spells for some memorable patch birding moments. Overall, bird species numbers have remained higher than in 2023, with a few additions to the list bringing the year’s total to 97, compared to 90 at the end of last August. Our highest count of 60 species on 22^nd June equaled our previous record for that month. As always, full lists and bar charts can be found on eBird via this link. A map of the patch with a description of our route and some background on the concept of 'patch birding' are included in the first blog on this site.

The appearance of three Cattle Egrets over the heath close to Setley Pond on 16^th June, provided the birding highlight of the summer and a new bird for the patch list. Although Little Egrets are regular visitors, their stocky, yellow-billed cousins had previously eluded us, despite now being a well-established breeding bird in Hampshire. This completed the Egret trio, following our previous Great White Egret which lingered at the pond for a week in 2022. As their numbers increase across the UK we anticipate more regular sightings of both of these species in the years to come.

Nightjars are easy to see and hear at dusk across the local heathland but have been rare sightings on our morning patch walks. This all changed in June when we enjoyed excellent views on three consecutive weeks: the first, on 16^th, was flushed from the heath by our regular female Marsh Harrier, with prominent white wing patches confirming it to be a male. The following week another bird gave away its position with a brief ‘churr’ in an oak tree by the old railway line at Longslade. An even better view was afforded a week later when a roosting male stretched its wings in the pines on the edge of Hincheslea woods, before resuming its usual camouflaged pose.

Nightjar: well camouflaged in its pine tree roost

A Tawny Owl was another unusual daytime sighting in Hincheslea on 5^th June – on this occasion its position was given away by the attention of some noisy blackbirds, remaining briefly in its tree before flying off to a more secluded location. Raptor sightings were otherwise rather disappointing this summer, with no further views of Hobby, a lone Goshawk and an adult and young Peregrine overhead on one occasion. A pair of Kestrels fledged three juveniles from their nest box at the back of the Sway Allotments; the young birds lingered on the heath for a few weeks in July before they moved on.

One of three juvenile Kestrels which fledged during the summer

In the reedbeds, we were pleased to hear Water Rail calling in late July and early August, having missed this species in 2023; a Reed Warbler was also seen at the same location for the first time in 2 years, despite the absence of any song earlier in the season. Snipe were active throughout the summer and at least two pairs of Lapwings had breeding success at Widden Bottom and on Setley Plain. As in previous years, Mediterranean Gulls appeared overhead during late June, coinciding with the emergence of flying ants.

On the heath there were good numbers of Stonechat and Linnet, as well as Greenfinch and Goldfinch, all of which seem to have had a successful breeding season. Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were in good voice throughout the summer, and an Adult and Juvenile Woodlark made a brief appearance on two occasions in late June. Dartford Warblers were seen in most weeks, but as in 2023 they seemed a bit harder to find than in previous years, despite the mild winter and positive news from the recent HOS survey.

Wildfowl numbers tend to dip in summer and Setley Pond was mostly devoid of water birds, apart from a Grey Heron which enjoyed the lower water levels. A single adult Moorhen lingered for most of the season, and a group of seven Canada Geese were an unusual late-August sighting. House Martins had a good breeding year in the buildings by the pond and at Shirley Holms although Swallow numbers seemed lower than in previous years. As usual, Swifts were more sporadic with our last summer sightings being in early July.

Grey Heron: a regular sighting on Setley Pond this summer

In the woods, we struggled to find Spotted Flycatchers this year with only occasional sightings during the breeding season, before being boosted by migrants at the end of August. Treecreeper numbers have been significantly higher than normal with family groups at several locations; Marsh Tits, which were difficult earlier in the year, also increased during the summer including an obliging juvenile bird, which posed for its photo in the morning sunshine near Longslade.  Good numbers of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap, were seen and heard throughout the summer.

Juvenile Marsh Tit enjoying some mid-summer sunshine

As usual, the last weeks of August brought us some passage migrants: two Lesser Whitethroat  and a singing Garden Warbler behind the allotments along with Whinchat, Redstart and Yellow Wagtail on the heath have helped to keep our spirits up as the days have shortened. Pied Flycatchers have eluded us so far again this year, and the hawthorn berries seem to be in short supply, which may be bad news for any passing Ring Ouzels in the coming months. We remain optimistic for some good autumnal birding, with some more bright spells to look forward to.