Fabulous Birding in Sussex - Goshawks and a Mockingbird

 Thursday 8th April 2021

Crawley Area

I organised a morning visit, with Martin and Shaun, to look for Raptors.  Conditions were just about ideal with bright sunshine and a light breeze.

Pick of the birds was the Goshawk.  We had 1 very good sighting and a second, more distant bird was also most welcome.

Several Red Kites were seen - all giving excellent views.

I saw my first Grey Wagtail of 2021.

A Kestrel and numerous Buzzards completed our Raptor sightings.

News was coming in from Pulborough village of a probable sighting a Northern Mockingbird, thought to be the one that had been causing all kinds of excitement in Devon in the past few days.  

Pulborough Village, West Sussex

By the time I returned home for lunch the sighting was confirmed so I decided to travel the 38 miles or so to twitch this bird.

As I joined the 40-50 birders on the field near the car park, the Northern Mockingbird was showing brilliantly in the bushes in the gardens of the nearby houses.  I spent a fabulous 30 minutes watching this rare UK visitor from the USA during which time it moved around a bit but was always in view.

courtesy of Matt@mostlyscarce and twitter

courtesy of Matt@mostlyscarce and twitter

                                                                                              courtesy of Matt@mostlyscarce and twitter

courtesy of Matt@mostlyscarce and twitter

Matt@mostly scarce shot these pictures from his garden in Pulborough.  

That is some garden tick Matt!

And on your birthday - unbelievable good luck!

Not a lifer for me as I have seen several in Virginia, USA whilst visiting Adam and Jean, but a first for me in the UK and a first for Sussex I hear.

I had to get back home to take the dogs out for their evening walk so I couldn't pop into nearby RSPB Pulborough Brooks to see the Pied Flycatcher.  I hope to see this bird in Cumbria with Brian soon 

• The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. 
• This bird is mainly a permanent resident, but northern birds may move south during harsh weather. 
• The mockingbird is influential in United States culture, being the state bird of five states, appearing in book titles, songs and lullabies, and making other appearances in popular culture.

• This species has rarely been observed in Europe. 
• It was first seen on 23 January 2021 and represents the first record anywhere in Britain or the Western Palearctic in more than 30 years – the last was as far back as 1988.
• The bird I saw is thought to be the same one.

Best day for some time! 

Old Lodge

Wedenesday 7th April 2021

Old Lodge NR

Target species was Redstart, after a few reports of them returning on the reserve.  Unfortunately I was unable to find any during my 2 hour stay late morning.

• The best I could do was to enjoy the many Redpolls that were flitting around.  A close Sparrowhawk was a decent sideshow.
• Bird of the day was my first Willow Warbler of 2021 which I heard and then saw as I walked around.
• It was nice to bump into Bridget and Paul near the end.  As we were talking, Paul drew my attention to a Raven flying overhead.

A good walk - the Redstarts will be centre stage in the next week or so!

Weirwood Reservoir

 Tuesday 6th April 2021

Weirwood Reservoir, East Sussex

Another routine workparty meeting.  

• The snake survey again produced a single grass snake under the same sheet as last week on Pintail Bank.  It's still early days and most of the snakes are still hibernating.
• Star bird for me was a delightful Yellowhammer that showed on the fence in Whillets.  There were also a good number of Blackcaps singing away in the background.
• At the end of the morning, on my way home, I visited the dam end of the reservoir where I was pleased to find a Green Sandpiper in the channel linking the car park area to the dam.
• On the reservoir I saw at least 4 Swallows.

Things are moving nicely

 Week ending 03/04/2021

Old Lodge NR

No sign of my target species - Woodlark, but I did hear then see my first Raven of the year on Monday afternoon.

Weir Wood Reservoir

• I managed to see my first Blackcaps, Stock Doves and Egyptian Geese on Tuesday morning as we did the second snake survey of the new season.  
• Highlight of the day however was our first grass snake of the year on Pintail Bank.

Old Airstrip on the Ashdown Forest

Went birding with Shaun on Wednesday.

• I found a Dartford Warbler in the bushes close to the car park as I waited for Shaun to turn up.
• We had several sightings of Lesser Redpoll with Siskins.  
• Even managed to see a Woodlark - our target species - when one flew up from the ground a few metres ahead of us.  
• Highlight for me was a small flock of Common Crossbills seen near the end of our walk, in the canopy of the pines close to the car park.
• Linnets were around.

Dartford  Warbler Survey

• I found no further Dartford Warblers on my patch on Thursday morning.  
• There were plenty of Chiffchaffs, Coal Tits, Dunnocks and Song Thrushes.

Rye Harbour

I normally wouldn't  touch Rye Harbour on Good Friday but with cold, breezy conditions forecast for the day I decided to go down in the morning.  It was a good decision because it wasn't overrun with holidaymakers.  With all the hides closed it wasn't possible to get the full works; nevertheless I did add 9 birds to my year list. 

• It was such a delight to see the Avocets.
• I managed a brief view of a Wheatear before it was flushed by the cyclists.
• Other species seen for the first time in 2021 included Brent Geese, Cetti's Warbler, Dunlin, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and Shelduck.

Dungeness 

I spent the afternoon at Dungeness.  Thankfully the Reserve Village road had reopened and I was able to access the lighthouse area and beach.

• Target bird was Garganey on Denge Marsh.  I managed to see 4 fabulous drakes and at least 1 female at the far side of the water opposite the cutting that had been made to the right of the closed hide.  Early birders had seen 18, the majority of which were drakes - a record for Dungeness in recent years!  
• On the path from the hide to the viewing ramp I came across a superb stoat running along ahead of me - a cracking bonus!
• I also saw my first Lapwing of the year on the way to see the Garganey.
• I looked for the Glossy Ibis on the reserve and on ARC but with no success.  It had been spotted earlier flying towards Boulderwell Farm but I couldn't find it.
• From the very limited viewing from the track just past the closed Screen Hide  I saw Gadwall, a super drake Goldeneye, Shovelers and 20+ Sand Martins.
• Bird of the day however was the Bittern.  I couldn't see it because the screen hide was closed but I heard it "booming" on 2 separate occasions.

At the "patch" to failed twitch the Iceland Gull. Try as I may I couldn't find it among the many gulls showing.  I must have been the only birder that day not to see it! 

• I had to settle for at one Mediterranean Gull for my 2021 list.

Warnham Nature Reserve, Horsham

I just had to go to Horsham to twitch the Little Bunting that has been around for over 3 weeks.  After a short wait the bird appeared in the trees in front of the hide and I enjoyed fabulous views from less than 10 metres away.  I even managed to hear it singing away right in front of me. Awesome!

courtesy of harvey@harvey_S_86 on twitter

courtesy of Jenni@JenniDx on Twitter

A welcome, busy week with lots of sightings to boost my year list to 103

29/03/2021 Lockdown is over and year list is only 76!

 Week ending 28th March 2021

Things started to move this week with another snake survey at Weir Wood Reservoir,  my first day doing a Dartford Warbler survey for the Ashdown Bird Group on my patch at Churlwood and, of course, taking the dogs for a walk twice daily in the area close to our home.

I managed to increase my year count to 76, starting with Chiffchaffs on my dog walks, Nuthatch and Snipe at Weir Wood on Tuesday morning and a Dartford Warbler at Churlwood on Thursday.

My lowest total at this stage of the year for a long long time but I am pleased with it!

16/03/2021 Snake Survey - preparations for the 2021 survey at Weir Wood Reservoir

Tuesday 16 March 2021

Weir Wood Reservoir,  Sussex

Back volunteering at Weir Wood Reservoir for the first time this year.  Bob D and myself sorted out the 65+ sheets we will need; replacing missing or damaged sheets with new ones and positioning the rest ready for our weekly survey.

• No snakes yet but 2 voles 12 mice 6 toads and the star of the show a lovely water shrew.
• I even managed to add a Treecreeper to my 2021 year list for birds.
• No sign of any Kingfishers, Mandarins or Stock Doves in the 15 minute slot I allowed myself at the end of the survey.
• The new Tern raft, funded by the Barbara Mortlock legacy, via the SOS, was floated into position today and looked superb.

Good to be back!

Lockdown Birding Update

Saturday 6 March 2021

Update

Today I added to my 2021 year list for the first time since 12 January.  

At a pond just south of Victoria Park in Uckfield I saw my first Coot of the year!  Shortly afterwards I saw my first Skylark - singing away 20 metres above the field in which I was walking.

I have been sticking rigidly to the lockdown rules so finding it hard to see new species.  I am keeping fit and walking in the community with and without the dogs.   Most of my usual routes are now crowded with lots of folks out taking exercise.  I'm not driving so can't get to the Ashdown Forest, Weir Wood Reservoir, Arlington Reservoir or the South Coast. 

The Coot and the Skylark brought my year list total up to 71 - my lowest, at this point, since I started birding.

Can't wait to get going again.