The South Downs are a great place to watch for migrating birds so seven of us made an early September trip up to Newtimber. We started our walk from the car park opposite Saddlescombe Farm having first made sure the café was going to be open for sustenance on the way back.

Once we had successfully crossed the road with the full party intact we started to hear and see birds in the bushes and trees on the way up to the open downland. Chiffchaffs announced their presence with their “weet” contact calls, a Blackcap scolded us from some deep recess in a blackthorn and Long Tailed Tits marauded through the branches like pirates in the rigging. We were treated to a Bullfinch briefly showing as well as  Chaffinches and Goldfinches moving around in small groups and ubiquitous Blue Tits with their Great Tit cousins not to mention the loud Wrens skulking in the lower parts of the bushes.

Watching out for birds became a bit secondary as our progress became more vertical and breath a bit shorter. Will and I, if we are honest, had paused for air when we saw a small upright bird on the skyline. As our vision became more settled along with our breathing we discovered there were at least half a dozen birds – Wheatears! We all got a good view until a couple of dog walkers sent them flying for cover.

Every now and then twittering little groups of Swallows flying over delighted us but reminded us summer was nearly over. They are such an inspiring little bird and I find them really joyful. Jill who was on the walk may remember one we saw on a birding holiday with Mike Russell in Morocco which was flying a few feet above the ground in the far north of the Sahara having crossed the desert on its way up from South Africa. It seemed at the end of its tether but no doubt perked up to face the rigours of breeding (who knows, maybe in Henfield).

Amazingly we didn’t find any Skylarks but the Meadow Pipits made up for this a bit and are a much prettier bird than we give them credit for providing you can get close enough to get the opportunity to notice that. Yellowhammers are much more obvious and these made a couple of appearances on the higher slopes. Was it Sue or Roger who spotted Spotted Flycatchers at long range. I’m jolly glad they did whoever it was as this is my top favourite bird – feisty or what! Soon after this Val’s ears were attracted by a call way above us height-wise and in my case hearing-wise which turned out to be a Yellow Wagtail. One little bush lined pond was a great attraction for the birds. Whitethroat, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Blackbird and Chiffchaff all showing well.

As we left  to begin our descent we looked up to enjoy a magnificent Red Kite strutting its stuff. It looked so good I think it was the reason we had a no show from Buzzards who maybe felt they couldn’t compete.

The downward trail had both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Kestrel and some Stock Doves which seem to be getting more and more numerous locally. Finally, as we walked past the farm buildings at Saddlescombe, House Martins made themselves known.

Even more finally – hot drinks and cake at the outdoors café. Almost as good as seeing a Spotted Flycatcher.