September

This month represents the final opportunity for more than six months to see the majority of our summer visitors. Please share records of the last dates on which you see our departing migrants to increase the data we are collecting on the effect on our birds of recent changes to weather patterns and climate. Alternatively please ensure all records are noted in Birdtrack so that the data can be appropriately extracted.

Throughout the first half of the month, most of the commoner warblers, martins and swallows can be easily found, but early departing species such as Swifts are noteworthy. This is a time when Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps or Whitethroats are likely to be found in suburban gardens, as young birds on their first migration seek feeding opportunities and shelter after an overnight movement.

In areas of scrub, particularly around hillsides, Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers and Whinchats are regularly found with Wheatears in more open areas and there is always the chance of a Pied Flycatcher, or more excitingly, a Wryneck. Tree Pipits are decreasing and are predominantly noted flying over, recognised by their distinctive call. Chances of these scarcer species increase significantly with an easterly component in the wind and generally follow shortly after arrivals of birds on the coasts of Norfolk or the North-east.
A sharp eye, and ear, to the sky will be rewarded with wagtails and pipits, particularly in the first hour after sunrise.

Rarities noted include a long-staying Red-backed Shrike in 2024 and our only county Barred Warbler in 2014

Raptors on the move are also notable in the month with Marsh Harrier and Osprey the most likely of the scarcer species to be seen.

A look back in the record books for the month shows interesting waders at the top of the possible rarity list. There is a very exciting list of species that have appeared in neighbouring inland counties in September within the last two decades and this can raise the hopes of anybody with the desire to find a county first. Solitary Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, even Red-necked Stint, so why not Bedfordshire next time?

Both “modern” Purple Sandpiper records were in September, in 1990 and 1993; also the most recent of our two Wilsons Phalaropes in 1972 and our only Baird’s and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper records in 1961. More recently a Grey Phalarope is the best record, noted in 2018.

There is also a peak of seabird sightings in the month; almost two-thirds of the records of Manx Shearwaters and a scattering of skua records, some of which were not identified to species. An addition to the two Storm Petrels records in the last 30 years would be most welcome.