A slow start to 2025 Short-eared Owl and Marsh Tits Week 1 Summary

With family visiting from the USA and some very severe weather conditions in Sussex, I had one of the quietest starts to a birding year ever. In the first week, I saw a meagre 29 bird species.

Initial sightings were in the area around my home.  

Things got more interesting when I returned to Weir Wood Reservoir on Tuesday morning to continue my weekly conservation work.  

• Pick of the birds were the 2 Marsh Tits I saw in the feeding area by the hide.
• On the water, 10+ Pochard provided the glamour.

Alas there was no sign of the Goosanders and the Great White Egret.  Have they moved on?

On Tuesday afternoon I ventured down to Rodmell.

• Birds of the week were the 2 Short-eared Owls I saw in the reedbeds by the River Ouse.  One was much more active than the other, foraging over a wide area, often taking a break by perching on a nearby tree.
• A hovering Kestrel was a joy to watch.
• A Kingfisher flew in and landed on the banks of the Ouse, as I was watching the owls.

1. Robin
2. Woodpigeon
3. Starling
4. Carrion Crow
5. Magpie
6. Jackdaw
7. Herring Gull
8. Blackbird
9. Mallard
10. Blue Tit
11. Buzzard
12. Coal Tit
13. Cormorant
14. Goldfinch
15. Great Crested Grebe
16. Great Spotted Woodpecker
17. Great it
18. Marsh Tit
19. Pheasant
20. Pochard
21. Song Thrush
22. Stock Dove
23. Black-headed Gull
24. Great Black-backed Gull
25. Kestrel
26. Kingfisher
27. Lapwing
28. Pied Wagtail
29. Sort-eared Owl

Let's hope things get busier soon!