After the usual summer lull of June and July, expectations can be rightly raised as August sees the autumn movement of birds get into full swing. It is one of the best times of year to be working a local patch – whether it’s a bird ‘hotspot’ or simply your own garden - as almost anything can turn up.
From the second week of August, migrating passerines should be moving south in good numbers so if a bird catches your eye, flitting in and out of a bush, give it a second look – it might be a Common Redstart, Spotted or even Pied Flycatcher. With them comes an increase in Chiffchaffs and then the lovely lemony-yellow young Willow Warblers along with Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Whitethroats and the odd Lesser Whitethroat.
It's also that time of year when
that little bird perched up atop a bush or post is worth checking as, chances are, it’s a Whinchat, Wheatear, Stonechat or – daring to believe – a Red-backed Shrike! At wetland sites, the trend started in July should continue, with wildfowl and gull numbers increasing along with a greater chance of drop-in waders.
Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, and Green and Common Sandpipers are to be expected while the first returning Snipe and Golden Plover may also make an appearance. Scarcer waders such as Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and Ruff are certainly possible too. A real mega rarity must never be ruled out – like the Least Sandpiper at Startop’s End Resevoir, Tring in August 2003.
For those who like to keep their eyes and ears trained to the sky, ‘vismig’ picks up again and will continue well into October. Swifts may be seen in huge flocks moving at height while post-breeding flocks of feeding hirundines will also be evident. Siskins and Crossbills will be on the move, their numbers fluctuating considerably year to year. While the main movement of Meadow Pipits will happen later this is the best month to listen out for passing Tree Pipits, making their way back south. Once a widespread breeder in Herts, these birds are now only really recorded on migration.
Part of the visible migration can also include raptors with some days seeing significant movements of Red Kites and Buzzards. Among them may be Ospreys heading southwards and, increasingly, Marsh Harriers as their numbers in the county and elsewhere increase. This month often sees the return of Merlin to northern parts of the county along with the chance of Hen Harrier too.
This is the month to get out looking wherever you are. Unlike the Spring migration, many birds linger a little longer freed up from the pressure to breed and, instead, feeding-up before their long journeys. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t see anything in the morning – chances are something will have dropped in during the afternoon or overnight! As always, heavy rain showers and disruptive weather can produce wonderful falls of migrants, all resting up while the conditions improve.
To whet your appetite, here's some rarities that have turned up in Herts over the last 10 years:
Red-backed Shrike – Sandon (2015)
Bee-eater – Bayford (2017)
Wryneck – Hemel Hempstead (2020)
Temminck’s Stint – Amwell (2020)