11/12/2015 The Burgh for Short-eared Owls

Friday 11th December 2015
The Burgh

Shaun and Alan invited me to join them for at the Burgh to look for Long-eared Owls.  We spent a pleasant couple of hours there just before dusk.

• Starting from Canada Farm we quickly spotted a flock of 10+ Corn Buntings ahead of us.  Soon afterwards we came across a flock of 40+ Fieldfare flying over us. 

• A couple of Red Kites were seen next from the high path, quickly followed by a group of 12+ Grey Partridges in the valley below us and a couple of distant Buzzards.

• A little further on we heard then saw a Raven before sighting a group of at least 8 Yellowhammers perched in a nearby tree. At least 3 Kestrels were seen on this visit.

• By now dusk was approaching and it was time for the main act. True to form a lovely Short-eared Owl flew low in the valley below us.  Unfortunately, it started to rain and for a while there was no further activity.  Thankfully things improved and we managed to get further views of this lovely bird.

A smashing visit to one of my favourite sites.

09/12/2015 Weir Wood Reservoir

Wednesday 9th December
Weir Wood Reservoir

Another good weather day - another good birding day!  This time the venue was Weir Wood Reservoir near East Grinstead.

• Pick of the birds at the feeders at West End was the Marsh Tit, closely followed by the Coal Tit and the Great Spotted Woodpecker.

• On the water the superb Kingfisher provided the highlight.

• Switching to the dam end provided sightings of Goldcrest and a superb Grey Wagtail.

• Pride of place however had to be the Great Northern Diver seen from the north bank to the west of the picnic area.  Add to this Green Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing and Jay and you have a really good package.

3 hours of sheer joy!

Today's species list:
Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Buzzard
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Cormorant
Fieldfare
Gadwall
Goldcrest
Goldfinch
Great Crested Grebe
Great Northern Diver
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Green Woodpecker
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Grey Wagtail
Greylag Goose
Jay
Kingfisher
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Tit
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Redwing
Robin
Starling
Teal
Woodpigeon
Wren
Total = 36

07/12/2015 Dungeness and Long-eared Owl

Monday 7th December 2015
Dungeness

I couldn't resist the chance to use the break in the poor weather to nip down to Dungeness to see the Long-eared Owl that has been around for a week or so now.  With little or no wind and temperatures of 13 C it was ideal birding conditions.

• The Long-eared Owl duly obliged - just 50 metres from the visitors centre in a tree beyond the dipping pond!  I enjoyed excellent scope views before I set off to go round the reserve.  

Long-eared Owl
Courtesy of Andrew Killick

• Some of the Dungeness staples for this time of year were present too, including 3 or probably 4 "redhead" Smew, at least 4 Goldeneye - including a drake, a Great White Egret, 3 or 4 Tree Sparrows and a Marsh Harrier.

• A stunning male Brambling was a surprise visitor to the feeders.

A super couple of hours and much needed after the recent spate of wet weather.

Today's species list:

Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Brambling
Carrion Crow
Caspian Gull????
Cetti's Warbler (h)
Chaffinch
Coot
Cormorant
Gadwall
Goldcrest
Goldeneye
Goldfinch
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Grey Heron
Greylag Goose

Herring Gull
Kestrel
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Long-eared Owl
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pintail
Pochard
Robin
Shelduck
Shoveler
Smew
Starling
Teal
Tree Sparrow
Tufted Duck
Wigeon
Wren
Total: 42