Early Whinchat?

Geoff texted saying he was fairly sure he had a Whinchat on the landfill, so despite having family plans, we re-jigged timings and I went back down, having been down for a dawn visit this morning. 30 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 7 Teal, 2 Wigeon, the summer plumage Dunlin still present too.

On arrival at LFGP it had gone out of view and was not relocated, Geoff showed me 2-3 pixelated shots and it did look more Whinchat than Wheatear, but not seeing the bird I felt it was inconclusive. What went against it was it was that it was highly mobile and as he put it, went from vent to vent, sounding much more like Wheatear behaviour.

I had my doubts based on date too, but now I have looked it isn't out of the question, here is the early August record history, there are just 3 and none in recent years.

Aug 10th (AJ & TB) & 14th 1984 (PB)
Aug 2nd 1986 (FJC)

Here are all the other autumn records, updated thanks to Adam Bassett

16th Sept 1979
27th Aug 1980
30th Aug 1981
23rd Aug 1982
28th to 31st Aug, then 9th, 11th & 20th Sept 1983
7th, 9th & 24th Sept 1984
2nd & 20th Sept 1985
1st, 3rd, 6th & 2/17th & 2/20th Sept 1986
2/1st, 2/3rd Sept, 1/4th & 1/5th 1987
1st Oct 1988
16th & 21st Sept 1989
1/12th 1990
10th, 16th & 22nd Sept 1992
31st Aug 1993
8th Sept 1996
27th Aug 1997
26th Aug 2000
4th & 7th Sept 2002
31st Aug 2003
27th & 28th Aug, then Sept 19th, then 9th Oct 2011

So it is fair to say 26th Aug to 9th Sept is the best window, good chances between 16th & 22nd Sept too.

While I was not seeing the possible Whinchat from the bottom of the car park field, I did have my first Silver-washed Fritillary in the car park field