Migration – Spirit of Nature

Yesterday afternoon I drove down to the local beach at Bulverhythe for a run, but as I started out, quickly realised I just didn’t have the energy. I decided to make the most of being there anyway and instead had a slow, mindful walk, to enjoy watching the sea and the wildlife. So glad I did.

I stood on some barnacled rocks by the shoreline, and witnessed a slow stream of 20-30 swallows fly across my vision, from West to East, over the space of several minutes. No doubt they were on their way to gathering together ready for their migration South, feeding on insects along the way to garner strength before the mammoth journey.

Having basked in this unexpected display, I looked down and there were at least a dozen turnstones mooching around on the rocks, just a few feet away from me, completely unperturbed by my presence.

Turnstone at Bulverhythe (taken in 2022)

As I jogged slowly back to the car, I wondered afterwards why the swallows were travelling East before heading South. Perhaps they somehow ‘knew’ the Channel crossing is shorter from along the coast towards Dover?

The day before, walking down to our local woods, I was treated to the sight of numerous House Martins circling high overhead – another sign of preparation for mass migration. I rarely see House Martins round this way, so I guess they must have been congregating from quite a wide radius.

And a few weeks ago, in Hastings Country Park, I was thrilled to see a small flock of Yellow Wagtails, also likely to have been assembling for a southbound exodus. It was only the second time I’ve definitively seen a Yellow Wagtail, so a real treat.

Yellow Wagtails, Hastings Country Park, 8/9/24

Autumn is many wonderful things, including a time of natural endings, of letting go, and embracing necessary change.

Being a witness to the miracle of migration feels like a marvellous privilege.

And these experiences, these close encounters with seasonal rhythms, fill me with a sense of excited awe, anticipation, of being swept up into something incredible, of endless possibilities. I love Summer – I’m always sad to leave it behind – but as Autumn gets into full swing, I find that Nature provides plenty new nourishment for my soul.

Things are hotting up for butterflies around Summerfields Woods in Hastings during this warm spell. Meadow Browns and Large Skippers are coming out in force.

And today was the first day this year that I’ve seen that famously marathon-flying migrant, the Painted Lady. There were a few of them there today, enjoying the blackberry flowers on the edge of the woods, near the ambulance station.

The area must be no more be no more than about 200 metres from the seafront as the crow (or butterfly) flies.

So my guess is that these specimens had just arrived from their ultra-long journey from the continent, perhaps even North Africa.

You can just see a second Painted Lady in the background here

This was probably their first stopping point, replenishing their energy on that bramble nectar.

Watching these elegant and exotic visitors, knowing they were nourishing themselves at the end of such a mammoth trek, was quite a privilege.

Tag: Migration

Embracing Change

First Ladies and Skippers