Chats Galore at Ivinghoe Beacon

6th September 2025

Autumn migration is well underway now so time for a visit to Ivinghoe Beacon.The path down through the scrub from the car park towards the sheep pen field was exceedingly quiet with just one Chiffchaff calling, so on towards the fenceline leading to the pens. As I dropped down to the field it is always nice to be greeted by one of the site's specialities, the Harebell.

The fenceline and the area of scrub below Gallows Hill held a number of birds including Sky Larks, single Meadow Pipit and Whitethroat, but the vast majority were chats.

Most of the Stonechats were in heavy moult.

This one seems to have moulted its whole tail.

Only one male was near the end of its moult.

But the stars of the show today were the 5+ Whinchats. In my experience Whinchats have reduced in numbers over the years as I used to photograph them regularly in spring and autumn, but these days I tend to only photograph them once a year.

Well another great day at The Beacon and also good to catch up with Ashley Cox and benefit from his local knowledge.