Old Lodge with the Ashdown Bird Group - Redstarts, Cuckoo, Tree Pipits and Crossbills

I spent a rewarding spring morning at Old Lodge with the Ashdown Bird Group, enjoying bright sunshine and a light breeze as we explored the reserve. It can be a challenging site, but with a bit of patience and teamwork we managed to record 33 species, including all the key migrants we had hoped for. 

Redstarts were singing but elusive at first, though we eventually had good views.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

The Tree Pipit performed beautifully with its display flights near the northern slopes. 

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Cuckoos called regularly, and I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one later in the morning.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs provided a constant soundtrack, and a couple of Whitethroats added to the mix. 

A real highlight was a small group of Crossbills, giving excellent views of both male and female birds.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Stonechats were reliably close, and Woodlarks were present, though less cooperative for photos. Butterflies, including Small Copper and the striking Green Hairstreak, added some extra colour to the walk.

All in all, it was an enjoyable and productive visit, with great company, good weather and plenty of memorable moments out on the forest.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

142  Redstart

143  Tree Pipit

144  Mistle Thrush

145  Cuckoo

Weir Wood Reservoir My first Willow Warbler and Common Terns of 2026

Tuesday 21st April 2026
Weir Wood Reservoir

During our regular reptile survey today, we were treated to the sight of two Common Terns sweeping gracefully over the reservoir, circling near the rafts - my first encounter with them this year.

Later, on the way to Whillets, the clear, lilting song of a Willow Warbler drifted from the hedgerow, the bird perched high in the tall trees lining the roadside. A classic sound of spring, and always a welcome one.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

140  Common Tern

141  Willow Warbler

Black-winged Stilts, Nightingales, Cettis Warbler and a Tree-climbing Adder at RSPB Pulboroough Brooks

Saturday 18th April 2026

RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Sussex

24 Members

A sunny spring visit to RSPB Pulborough Brooks got off to an immediate flyer when news broke of two Black-winged Stilts on site - prompting a swift and entirely justified detour. A very strong start.

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

From there, the day unfolded with all the best signs of spring. Common Nightingale were in full voice across the reserve (seeing them, as ever, was another matter), while fresh arrivals like Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler brought energy and noise to the hedgerows. Regulars including Red Kite and Avocet added to the show, and a lucky few managed a glimpse of a Garganey - a reminder that timing is everything.

Nightingale - courtesy of Chris Harries

Nightingale in full voice - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Common Whitethroat - courtesy of Ian Hodgson 

Blackcap - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

There were bonus moments too: butterflies drifting through, cameras working overtime, and even a usually elusive Cetti's Warbler briefly deciding to be seen.

 

Cettis Warbler - courtesy of Phil Aylen

And then, the finale. Just when it seemed the day had delivered everything, an Adder attempted to climb a tree… only to lose its grip and drop unceremoniously into the water below, before making a hasty exit. Not in the field guide, but certainly one to remember.

A good start

Getting harder

Now it's a struggle

Just about hanging on 

Dropped into the pond!

 Safety at last

Snake images courtesy of Martin Jeffree and Alison Playle

Seventy species, plenty of highlights, and one spectacularly clumsy snake - what more could you want?

New species for the 2026 Year List:

137  Black-winged Stilt

138 Swallow

139  Common Whitethroat

Parakeets!

Friday 17th April 2026 (p.m.)

London Wetland Centre 

Sara and I headed to the London Wetland Centre for a dose of nature - and it didn’t disappoint. The Parakeets were out in force, flashing through the trees and soaking up the sunshine like they owned the place.

We were also treated to our first Reed Warblers of 2026, their songs a sure sign that the season’s shifting. The Sand Martins have made their return too, and we spent a while watching their constant comings and goings as they darted in and out of their nesting bank.

Just when we thought the day couldn’t offer anything more, Sara spotted a large grass snake stretched out on the outside window ledge of the hide, basking peacefully in the afternoon warmth. A perfect, slightly unexpected ending to a lovely visit.

Just the job!  

Thanks Sara

New species for the 2026 Year List:

134  Ring-necked Parakeet

135  Reed Warbler

136  Sand Martin

A few twitches

Cirl Bunting at Mile Oak Farm – 28 March 2026

A short visit to the South Downs delivered exactly what I was hoping for: my first Cirl Bunting of the year. I picked it up near Mile Oak Farm, along the track heading north, in almost the same spot it has favoured for the past two winters. It really does seem to have adopted this little corner of the Downs as its regular overwintering patch.

The conditions were far from ideal — a chilly, blustery wind sweeping across the slope — and it took over an hour of waiting before the bird finally appeared. When it did, it chose the top of a tree just behind its usual favourite perch, giving me enough time to confirm it was indeed the same returning individual.

I came back the following Friday — Good Friday — with the Ashdown Bird Group, and Phil Aylen managed to capture these lovely photos of the bird despite the weather being even worse with rain to contend with as well as the wind and cold.

A Cirl Bunting this far east is always a treat, but just seeing this bird in Sussex adds something special.

Weir Wood Reservoir – Early Spring Sightings

My Tuesday voluntary sessions at Weir Wood Reservoir have also begun to reflect the shift in seasons, with a couple of notable sightings.

31 March 2026 – First Blackcap of the Year

While heading to Whillets Meadow to carry out a reptile survey, I heard the bright, fluting song of my first Blackcap of the year. It was singing confidently from a hedgerow — a classic marker of early spring and a sure sign that migration is now underway.

7 April 2026– Waders at the Dam End

A week later, on 7th April, Martin and I stopped at the dam end of the reservoir on our way home. Along the concrete edge we picked out at least two Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper feeding at the water’s edge. A lovely trio of early waders and a rewarding end to the morning’s work.

RSPB Pulborough Brooks

8 April 2026  Nightingales & Garganey

I decided to visit Pulborough Brooks after closing time, hoping for the best chance to hear the Nightingales. Their song is one of the great joys of spring, and catching up with them was high on my list.

It didn’t take long. Just minutes into my walk, I heard the first bird, and even managed a brief glimpse as it dropped down into cover. In total, I encountered at least three of the seven birds known to have returned so far. The highlight came right at the end of my visit to Fattengates, where I simply sat and waited. Before long, a Nightingale appeared around twenty feet up in a tree and launched into full song — a magical, ringing performance and a perfect way to round off the evening. I can’t wait to return with the Ashdown Bird Group, when our photographers will be able to capture the moment properly.

Earlier in the visit, I had twitched two Garganey on the North Brooks, first from The Hanger and then even closer from Little Hanger Hide. A lovely supporting cast to an already memorable evening.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

128  Cirl Bunting

129  Blackcap

130  Little Ringed Plover

131  Common Sandpiper

132  Nightingale

133 Garganey

Dungeness Trip – 22 March 2026 – East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

Thirteen members enjoyed a bright, calm day at Dungeness, recording nearly 70 species. The highlight was excellent—if hard‑won—views of black‑necked grebes at the ARC Pits, thanks to a timely tip‑off from local birder Martin Casemore (Plodding Birder).

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Other notable species included firecrest, Cetti’s warbler, bearded tit, and a fast‑moving kingfisher. Unfortunately, they did not present themselves for photographs - a case of "blink and you miss them"

More cooperative birds included:-

All three egret species

Little Egret - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Great White Egret - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Cattle Egrets - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Goldeneye

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Raptors were well represented, with marsh harrier, kestrel, and two peregrines, one of which passed the group at close range.

Peregrine - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Round at the power station, the highlight was this superb male Black Redstart.

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Non‑bird highlights featured:-

 Great‑Crested Newt

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

 Marsh Frog 

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Red Fox

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Seawatching 

There was not much going on here apart from the odd Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.

Gannet - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Red-throated Diver - courtesy of Phil Aylen

A super trip packed out with interesting wildlife!

New species for the 2026 Year List:

126  Black-necked Grebe

127  Black Redstart

No Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Today!

 Gravetye Estate – ABG Visit (13 March 2026)

I was one of nine members of the Ashdown Bird Group who enjoyed a rewarding first visit to the Gravetye Estate, a beautifully managed landscape of woodland, meadows and lakes. Despite hopes of encountering the recently reported Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, the group still recorded a very respectable 42 species during a relaxed morning circuit.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Birdsong greeted everyone on arrival, with Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, Buzzards calling overhead and a Raven cronking from the treetops. Around the manor house, mixed flocks of finches and tits kept the group busy, while a lively Firecrest provided an early highlight.

A climb up the muddy meadow behind the house proved challenging but worthwhile, producing excellent views of raptors including Buzzards, Red Kite, Sparrowhawks and a brief but exciting Goshawk. Meadow Pipits were active across the grassland.

Mud, mud, glorious mud …..
Photo: Ian Hodgson

Quagmire!

Photo: Martin Jeffree

The lakes held a modest selection of waterbirds—Little Grebes, Tufted Ducks, Mallards and a Moorhen—while the surrounding woodland added Marsh Tit, Goldcrest and singing Chiffchaff. A pair of Grey Wagtails showed well near the sluice, and a late addition of Treecreeper rounded off the list.

Little Grebes
Photo: Patrick Sullivan

Although the Lesser Spot remained elusive, the visit offered a lovely mix of early spring activity in a stunning setting. We hope to return later in the season when the estate is alive with song.

Nothing to add to my year list but a super first visit to this site!

New species for the 2026 Year List:

1223 Ringed Plover

124  Bar-tailed Godwit

125   Sandwich Tern