A spectacular birding walk along the Jurassic Coast
On the western side of Seaton Bay, the headland to the south of the pretty fishing village of Beer commands panoramic views along limestone sea cliffs and out across Lyme Bay. From late summer onwards, given an onshore wind, seawatching can be spectacular with potential large shearwaters, petrels and rare skuas. The hinterland section of the walk is set in rolling countryside comprising small fields bordered by hedgerows and high banks and scattered copses, ideal resting habitat for migrating warblers, flycatchers and chats.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
With onshore winds settle down for a seawatch at the Head where passing Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Cormorant, Shag, Fulmar, Common and Sandwich Terns, Kittiwake Guillemot and a variety of gulls are likely plus, as the season progresses, the chance of Red-throated and Great Northern Divers, Balearic Shearwater, Razorbill, Arctic and
Great Skuas, Common Scoter, Little Gull and Little Tern. Check the cliff area for Peregrine, Raven, Jackdaw, Rock Pipit, Turnstone, Grey Wagtail and maybe a passing Black Redstart and coasting Swift and hirundines.
2
Scrub along the cliff top attracts breeding Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Goldfinch, Linnet and Yellowhammer and a chance of migrating Cuckoo, Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Willow and Wood Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, Firecrest, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers. Check along fences for Wheatear, Whinchat, Yellow and White Wagtails, plus the likes of Hobby, Tree Pipit, Swift, Swallow and martins overhead.
3
The track passes through a wood suitable for a range of resident species including Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Marsh and Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest along with summering Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Look for Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and Kestrel around the woodland.
4
Field margins across South Down Common harbour Yellowhammer, Linnet, Goldfinch, Whitethroat and Stonechat and maybe a passage Whinchat, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail while Curlew, Whimbrel, Lapwing, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, finches, buntings and partridges feed on arable fields. Check gull flocks for Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls. Another good spot to scan for visible migration of raptors, waders and passerines.
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE Seawatching is most productive following a south-westerly blow or an Atlantic gale.
TARGET SPECIES SUMMER/AUTUMN
● Fulmar
● Gannet
● Arctic Skua
● Manx Shearwater
● Balearic Shearwater
● Shag
● Peregrine
● Kittiwake
● Tree Pipit
● Yellow Wagtail
● Redstart
● Whinchat
● Wheatear
● Spotted Flycatcher
WINTER
● Seabirds
● Woodcock
● Finch and thrush flocks
SPRING
● Hirundines, warblers
and chats
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