03/07/2014 Staying Local this week.

Thursday 3rd July 2014
Ashdown Forest and Knepp Estate mainly

Decided to stay local for a while.

On my patch last week the highlight had to be the breeding Spotted Flycatchers that my friend Alastair alerted me to last Sunday afternoon.  When he and I returned the next morning, at least 2 chicks were clearly visible in the nest as the adults returned with food. The views were super  -  it was refreshing to see them in Sussex and on my own patch.  A huge thank you to Alastair!




Breeding Spotted Flycatcher
Alastair Gray

 

 

When I went back this evening there was no activity at all - the chicks had fledged and the whole family had moved on. 

Nightjars are still much in evidence on my patch and, of course,  at Hindleap, the real "hotspot" for the species.  There have been fewer Woodcocks this year.  I have only seen one at Churlwood and 5 or 6 at Hindleap.

The "usual suspects" were about in healthy numbers, including Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Redstarts, Woodlark and Linnets. 


At Knepp, on Friday evening with Paul's Group, there was only 1 Turtle Dove but the views were really good.  By way of compensation, we saw a smashing low-flying Hobby, an overhead Peregrine carrying a black bird, of some description, for supper as well as a surprising Green Sandpiper by the man-made lake.   On Tuesday, mid morning with Alastair, we saw 10+ Jays, 10+ Common Buzzards and heard a couple of alarm calls which we presumed to be that of Nightingales.  There were lots of other birds around including Lapwings, Mistle Thrush, Whitethroats and Blackcaps. but alas not even a hint of a Turtle Dove.  Alastair was really taken with the variety of Butterflies on show, including Purple Emperor,

Purple Emperor
Library picture

White Admiral

 

White Admiral
Library picture

 

 

 and Marbled White

Marbled White
Library picture

to name but a few. 

I managed to get another look at the Short-toed Eagle from Gills Lap last Sunday when I took a couple of friends along with me.  It flew in from another part of the forest but settled in the woods, out of sight, and then moved on from the area back down to Hampshire.

All in all a very good week, in glorious sunshine, with lots of things to do and see and, most important, near to home !



New addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Long-eared owl  (flying at 20.40)   (238)