Gravetye Manor with the Ashdown Bird Group

 

Friday 1st May 2026

Gravetye Estate

Ashdown Bird Group

(9 members present) 

What a difference a few weeks can make! Our return visit to Gravetye Manor felt like stepping into a completely different season. Gone were the mud and quagmires of early spring, replaced instead by sun-baked, uneven ground that made for a surprisingly tricky walk-but it was a small price to pay for the burst of life all around us.

From the moment we set off, the air was alive with movement and sound. Swallow and Swift swept overhead, while the constant soundtrack of Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff provided that unmistakable feel of spring in full swing. A brief detour rewarded us with a brilliant view of a Common Whitethroat, and the higher slopes once again proved their worth with a fine supporting cast of raptors, including Common Kestrel, Red Kite and several Common Buzzard circling effortlessly above us.

Buzzard - courtesy of Alison Playle

Whitethroat - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Down by the lakes, the pace slowed and the atmosphere shifted to something altogether more tranquil. Families of Canada Goose and Mallard drifted across the water, while a calling Little Grebe announced its presence from the reeds. 

Canada Geese - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

In the surrounding trees, a busy Eurasian Treecreeper and a vocal Eurasian Nuthatch kept us entertained, alongside a smart Great Spotted Woodpecker.

But the undisputed highlight-the moment that really made the day-was our encounter with a Common Firecrest. First glimpsed fleetingly, we were lucky enough to relocate it shortly afterwards, this time at close range, allowing for some fantastic views and photographs. A tiny bird, but a huge presence, and a perfect reminder of how special these moments can be.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding outing, full of variety, colour and birdsong, and a great example of just how vibrant and alive the Sussex countryside becomes at this time of year.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

147  Swift