Sussex Ornithological Society Firecrest Survey Crowborough 27/06/2018

This morning I completed my final visit to TQ52## for the Firecrest survey.  The sun was shining brightly, even penetrating the dense canopy. Of all of my visits, this was the one on which I hoped to see if any young had been raised. For the first half an hour of my walk, I only noted three Goldcrest territories, and one Firecrest, which I determined to investigate further later on. I walked into the compartment that had held the most last time I visited. Walking quite deep in, I found a small family group of Firecrests, with at least two young amongst them. On the other side of the path there was another territory, and this I discovered had four young Firecrests, as well as the two parents. The rest of the hour was rather an anti-climax, but I found at least two more young, out of the nest. This means that this square has got at least three Firecrest territories, which have so far brought up at least eight young this year so far!

Eastbourne 16/06/2018

Not a lot to report, I watched the sea from 1000 until 1300. Absolutely no movement except for 2 Manx Shearwaters well out on the sea. Also, a group of Gannets were fishing, also very well offshore. Apart from these, only the normal Herring Gulls, as well as a few Black-headed Gulls.

Broadwater Warren RSPB 11&12/06/2018

Last night, I spent two hours with the RSPB surveying Nightjars and Woodcocks. We started out from the car park at around quarter to nine, and I patrolled the stretch of path between the small pond and the first crossroads on the path from the car park to the Decoy Pond. At first, it was very quiet, except for a Herring Gull that flew over, followed by a Grey Heron which went in to roost in the woods nearby. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling loudly from the car park direction, and a male Whitethroat was preening itself on a silver birch sapling close by. Only once it became reasonably dark did the Nightjars start churring, and after that they started up from all directions, some churring for long periods of time. Whilst checking the next compartment, at least two Pipistrelle Bats appeared from nowhere, flying so close to me, and almost hitting me. Returning to the main path again, a dark shadow of a bird suddenly flew up from the heather close by the track. It then disappeared into the gloom, but minutes later, presumably the same bird circled round the trees directly above me, before landing on a branch well out of sight, and starting to churr very loudly. I walked closer, in order to attempt to see the bird, and accidentally flushed it. Whereupon, it flew across to a tree with a bare branch exposed, and perched there, in full view, and churred for a short period. Sure enough, that was the best Nightjar I have ever seen, despite doing the same survey last year. I almost wished that I had brought my camera, but it probably would have been too dark. Other surveyors were not so fortunate, either not seeing one, or not seeing or hearing one. I did not have any Woodcock on the area I was surveying, but several other people did either see one or hear one.
Today, I went for a walk around the reserve. Highlights included a Spotted Flycatcher by the Decoy Pond, and a pair of Turtle Doves at Park Corner.

Crowborough 09/06/2018

A walk around Crowborough this morning gave all the usual suspects, including good numbers of Starlings, over half of which seemed to be juveniles. On one house's roof I saw a Pied Wagtail, possibly of the race alba, White Wagtail, with very grey plumage on the mantle, rump, and wings. The Rose-coloured Starling influx does not seem to have hit Crowborough yet, if it does, but this year seems to be the best chance of seeing one locally. I did check all the Starlings I saw, but alas to no avail. Other than these, there are now good numbers of Swifts screaming all over the town, despite very low numbers in May. This is apparently due to storms over France and Spain which held the birds up. Yesterday, I saw what looked very much like a Spotted Flycatcher in my garden. The bird itself was a silhouette, but the behaviour was convincing. It was sitting on the top of one of my trees, and flycatching. The bird was silent, but there were no pronounced colours. The Jackdaw pictured below was one of many on the rooftops around town.

Holiday 30/05 - 04/06/2018

Another visit to Shropshire was good. The birds were all in full song, and thus quite easy to find, or at least locate. I saw 49 different species of birds from the Wednesday of last week to Monday this week. My friend's cottage is in the countryside, and therefore there were several handsome male Yellowhammers, singing from the tops of the trees along the road. There was plenty of excellent habitat for this species, with thick hawthorn hedges lining many roads and fields in the area, and trees dotted about the landscape for the males to sing from.
Another nice bird was the Skylark, which seemed to sing from the minute the sun rose above the horizon to the moment when it sunk beneath the western sky. This species also appeared to be nesting, and there were at least two pair in the nearby vicinity.
Warblers abounded. Whitethroats delivered their rather scratchy songs from dense thickets, before displaying to a hidden female, whilst Garden Warblers, sang from the depths of the scrub, not revealing themselves at all, and Blackcaps sand from the more prominent perches. Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were also heard, although more distantly in woodland not more than a mile or two away.
The best bird overall was a singing Quail, which was only possibly seen very distantly, but was distinctly heard singing almost every day I was there.

Ashdown Forest, 26/05/2018

This afternoon I went for a quick stroll around the Hollies/Airman's Grave area of the Forest. There did not seem to be much life about, but lovely hot weather and some great views. The only birds of note were a male Redstart, a single Willow Warbler singing in the valley, and large numbers of Chiffchaffs, Chaffinches, Robins, and Blackbirds along the top. Also, at the bench, going along the top, a Jay flew very close by, followed by a Carrion Crow. On the way back, a Song Thrush was very obligingly sitting in a clump of gorse by the car park.

Sussex Ornithological Society Firecrest Survey Crowborough 25/05/2018

I am signed up to partake in the SOS's Firecrest survey. Thus, I was found from 10:00 until 11:00 in my designated 'square' - TQ52##. I spent an hour walking round. This was my second visit, and I identified six Firecrest territories and an equal number of Goldcrest territories. On my first visit, a few weeks ago, I found ten possible Goldcrest territories and five of Firecrest. On this later trip, one thought-to-be Goldcrest territory was re-identified as Firecrest, and three putative Goldcrest and one Firecrest territory appeared to be vacant. These birds may have been migrants, or just winter visitors. The weather was not great, so some of them may simply have taken to shelter, as it was cloudy and very dull, but hopefully my next and last trip will confirm whether they are territories or not. There were quite a few other birds around, including Chiffchaffs, at least three male Blackcaps, and a lone Garden Warbler around. Several Blackbirds were loudly proclaiming their territories, and a Song Thrush was quietly warbling still. A 3rd summer Herring Gull was floating overhead, and the fields held several families of Woodpigeons, complete with juveniles.

Rye Harbour NR, 21/05/2018

It was quite mild, with light southerly winds, and the odd occasional shower, at Rye Harbour. As soon as I arrived, I added Starling to the day list, as more than one of this species were pecking, presumably for insects under the eaves of the coastguard building. I first took a short walk to the information centre to see what birds were around. I knew that the Terek Sandpiper had not been seen since Saturday, but I was hoping that it might either reappear, or that something fresh would turn up. Returning from the centre, I found a Sedge Warbler singing from the reeds bordering the ditch, along with a Lesser Whitethroat that popped up from the undergrowth. I returned to the car park, and set off through the caravan park. At the crossroads I went straight over, admiring the elegant Avocets as I walked past them on the marshes on both sides. A single Spoonbill was easily seen on the pools to the west of Ternery Pool, and was actually awake, for once, feeding. From the hide overlooking Ternery Pool itself, there were hundreds of Black-headed Gulls at close range, and, on islands further out, many Sandwich Terns. I was also graced with a pair of Common Terns, which mated on the first island out. A pair of Ringed Plovers appeared briefly on the same island, and eventually a pair of Mediterranean Gulls reared up their heads. Crossing the path, I entered the hide overlooking the Flat Beach area. On this side, there were still plenty of Black-headed Gulls, but instead of Sandwich Terns, there were Common Terns, as well as one or two Little Terns. By far the most exciting bird in this area was a Curlew Sandpiper, which was feeding on the left edge of the pool, in all the breeding finery. After lunch, I made my way past the information centre to the hide on the tarmac path. From here, there were yet more Avocets, and, after closer examination, a pair of Turnstones, with the spring plumage. Also, a Whimbrel was well out on the pools, feeding by an Avocet, and a Black-tailed Godwit was further in. By far the most exciting bird was a Ruff, a male, no less, with the beginnings of the gorgeous plumage coming. What was more exciting was the fact that this was my 200th bird species this year! The day ended well after returning home, with Swifts screaming over the garden.

Sussex Ornithological Society Firecrest Survey Crowborough 18/04/2018

Today I completed the first of three Firecrest surveys for the SOS (Sussex Ornithological Society) in my selected square, TQ52##. It was a lovely day, with sunshine throughout. While I was there for an hour between 0900 and 1000, it was still cool. The birds were in full song, and I identified ten Goldcrest and five Firecrest territories, which made it quite a success. I do not expect all of them to produce young, as there is a good chance that some of the singing males will not be able to find a mate. All the same, I have hopes that at least one of them might produce something worth recording...

Barmouth 21/03-28/03/2018

A week's holiday in North Wales produced plenty of birds. I went to Holyhead, and was planning to go to South Stack RSPB, but on the day there were 80mph gusts, so I decided not to go. Still, I toured the harbour at Holyhead, and found both Red and Black-throated Divers, the latter only seen in flight taking off and heading out of the harbour. Also, there was a single Shag and at least three Oystercatchers. From there, I visited Beddmanarch Bay. The one really exciting bird there was a Marsh Harrier that suddenly came from nowhere and went to nowhere, flying just over the water in front of the car park. Other birds included Curlew, Redshanks, and at least two Purple Sandpipers on the rocks. I was staying quite close to the Farchynys National Trust site, so I visited that several times, finding a very early Pied Flycatcher, and a Little Gull, plus a pair of Goldeneye on the estuary. On another day of the holiday I went down to Ynys-hir RSPB, where I got good views of hundreds of Teal and Pintail.

Broadwater Warren RSPB 06/02/2018

My year list has been boosted recently by a couple of trips to Broadwater Warren. An early singing Woodlark was hard to locate when it was singing high up. Also, on the boggy heath near the old shooting butts, I flushed three Snipe as I walked behind the butts on the footpath. There were plenty of Siskin in the coniferous woodland, and a Grey Heron came in to roost when I was there quite late one day, and when I passed through the wet woodland, I found, to my great delight, one Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, which did not stay long, admittedly, but long enough to be identified. On the same footpath, I found two Marsh Tits. On the second occasion, I met the warden, and as we were talking together, a flock of Brent Geese flew over, a first for the reserve.

Rye Harbour NR 01/01/2018

Today I intended to see as many bird species as I could, in order to get as many on my year list as soon as possible. I started off early, and before I left for Rye. In the garden, I got all the usual suspects, the first bird of the year being a Song Thrush that was calling loudly from a nearby aerial. Of course, as with any other New Year's Day, the weather was awful, and in drizzle, heavy mist, and high winds I battled through the nature reserve. Because the weather was so awful, I simply visited Ternery Pool and the Quarry. On these parts, there were numerous Lapwing, Golden Plover, and Oystercatcher, as well as the long staying but very distant Red-breasted Merganser, and three grebes - Little, Great Crested, and Black-necked, the latter of which was a life tick. As you can see from the pictures below, the weather was atrocious.  All the same, as the night closed in I managed a respectable total of 60 species, the best I have ever done in one day.

North Wales Holiday, March 2017

I have just got back from a birding holiday in North Wales. The cottage was within half a mile of an estuary, and a stream ran literally past the front door. The stream had some very nice birds, including Dipper and Grey Wagtail, and occasionally the odd Grey Heron flew up stream. Lower down, near the estuary, the stream held a pair of Goosander. I went for a day trip to Lake Vyrynwy RSPB, and found a Great Tit's nest in a sand bank. Also, out of the Capel Coed hide, on the feeders, I saw large numbers of Siskins, as well as a handful of Chaffinches, and a male Pheasant, plus numerous squirrels feeding on the ground. Back on the estuary, I saw Little Egret, Oystercatchers aplenty, and at least five Red-breasted Mergansers, many Mallards, and similar numbers of Canada Geese, without anything of interest among them. Also in the way of ducks, there were several Shelduck, and even a surprise Pintail. Whilst on holiday, I saw my 100th bird of 2017 - Treecreeper in the trees near the cottage. It was a little surprising to have such a common species as my 100th, but all the same a nice little bird, and later on I found three plus in the same area.

Cuckmere Haven 01/03/2017

Awful weather today, to visibility was poor. Despite all this, there were plenty of birds to be seen, although mainly on the water, as the passerines appeared to be (sensibly) taking to  the shelter of the sparse bushes and trees. The only birds that were not sheltering the storm were a couple of Meadow Pipits, which kept us amused when there was nothing else to be seen. The best birds of the windswept area were a single adult Mediterranean Gull, and a Glaucous Gull on the meanders, and there were at least two Snipe on the lagoons, along with the best bird of the day, which was a single GREAT WHITE EGRET, which was braving the rain on the lagoon.

Beachy Head and the Pevensey Levels 15/02/17

Today I went down to a windswept Beachy Head, where there was not much around. There were at least four pairs of singing Skylarks around the visitor centre, where my trip was mostly based. The other common birds were a pair of Pied Wagtails on the roof of the buildings, and a few Meadow Pipits that flew over. Of course there were several gulls milling around, mostly Herring Gulls, but I picked out at least one each of Common, Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed Gulls amongst them. The most exciting bird on Beachy Head was, however, a single Twite (local rarity) that was flying around the rough grassland next to the public footpath. It was calling distinctly, and giving good views. Leaving Beachy Head after it had vanished, I made my way to Horse Eye Levels, on the Pevensey Levels, not too far away. It was getting on for late evening by then, but I located a single Bewick's Swan amongst the numerous Mute Swans, and later I saw a Merlin hunting low over. At first it was quite distant, and I had hopes of Hen Harrier or Short-eared Owl, but it was neither. Still, the Merlin was lovely to watch, albeit for a brief period.

Crowborough 1/02/2017

An absolutely horrible day today, all misty and murky, so that visibility was probably about 10% at most. All the same, somebody reported Waxwings in the Warren, so I drove over there. The car was parked on the roadside verge, and getting out, I walked towards some trees which I thought might be suitable for that species. A Coal Tit suddenly called out of the murk from one of the pine trees on my left, and then, through misted binoculars (I am not sure whether the binoculars were misty or the weather!) I saw three birds at the very top of a tree, half faded out. The binoculars showed a bird which was slightly smaller than a Starling, by my reckoning, but I couldn't be sure what they were. Then, out of the blue, a trilling bell-like noise came to my ears. hat really is quite a thrilling noise, and the one that I wanted to hear. Sure enough, the mist cleared a little for a moment, and the crests became visible. All the same, I was quite glad to get back into the car and dry out!

Dungeness RSPB 06/01/2017

A trip down to Dungeness today to see if I can get the 200...birds included Great White Egret, a Water Rail which came out into the open allowing excellent photos to be taken at the Scott hide, a Little Grebe outside Christmas Dell hide, and a fabulous, but sadly female Smew which also showed on Burrowes pit, constantly disappearing. The real highlight, of course, was the male Ring-necked Duck on one of the pits near to the farmhouse. It was mingling with many, many Tufted Ducks, and Coots, and had it not been for help from another friendly birder I might not have ever seen it. As it was, it was only a brief glimpse, as It was constantly on the move, and frequently disappeared from the view of the scope. But I saw it. This is the Water Rail.

Bough Beech Reservoir, 03/01/2017

An attempt to make 200 different bird species this year led me to take a trip out to Bough Beech Reservoir again. And, sure enough, the goods were delivered. I didn't make 200 that day, of course, but several 'good' birds were added to the list. I have to admit here that some debatable bird species were added to the list, including the introduced Mandarin, of which there were at least two pairs. Ducks were plentiful along the shores of the reservoir, and I saw Mallard, Tufted Duck, and also, to my delight, a male Pochard, which I only found by careful scanning of the long line of ducks. At least six Mute Swans were on the bank some way down the reservoir, and there were a few Canada Geese to go with them. Waders were not absent, and I saw a single Green Sandpiper, which flew from the main reservoir side onto the mud (quite wet at this time of year) on the other side of the causeway, although I quickly lost it as it disappeared behind the island.

Crowborough 16/12/2016

Another first for Crowborough flew over today in the form of a Raven. I was just doing some gardening in my back garden, as it was a very nice day, for December at around 1200 hrs and a large black bird flew north over the garden, pausing for a moment to chase off a Carrion Crow. At first, I thought that it was a Carrion Crow seeing off a Jackdaw, but the size of the larger bird was quite incredible for a Carrion Crow. I snatched up my camera, and took the quick record shot of the bird in flight. It was a rubbish photo, but since the bird then disappeared, never to be seen again, I was glad that I had taken it. I examined the photo (the one below is very heavily cropped) carefully, to see if I could spot any markings or shapes which would help with ID. The wings looked normal enough for Carrion Crow, as did most of the rest of the body, but the tail was the clincher. In the photo, the tail is distinctly diamond shaped, the one reliable way of telling Carrion Crow/Rook and Raven apart.

Crowborough 21/11/2016

A walk this morning around the town produced numerous Black-headed Gulls, now back from their breeding grounds, and one or two Herring Gulls, lingering on. Both appeared to be juveniles, the adults having already made tracks towards the coast. Amongst the gull flocks on the Beacon Academy and Sir Henry Fermor school's playing fields, I picked out at least five Common Gulls, not in immaculate breeding plumage, but in the duller winter plumage, with darker spots on the head. Of course the Black-headed Gulls only had one spot on the back of the head, as the brown hoods of the breeding season had long worn away.