10/11/2014 Brian visits - Firecrests, Marsh Tit and Red Kites but no Hen Harrier or Mandarin

Monday 10th November 2014
Brian Day 1
Staying local a.m. and Arundel p.m.

Despite the awful rain, expectations were high as Brian and I took up our place in the Ashdown Forest just after dawn to look for the Ring-tailed Hen Harrier.  Reports from the previous evening confirmed that it had gone to roost as normal.  Unfortunately we were unsuccessful and we missed the bird, the obvious reason being that it had left before we arrived.

Next stop was Weirwood Reservoir where I was sure we would see the resident  Marsh Tit and the reliable Mandarins.



Marsh Tit
Library picture

While we appreciated repeated views of the former the latter did not show in the time we were on site.  The Nuthatch was the pick of the other birds seen. 




Nuthatch
Library picture

After a refreshing breakfast at home we headed west to Arundel, picking up Paul on the way, hoping for better luck.  At the Watercress Beds we had no luck with the Mandarins but at the Waterwoods we saw a pair of Firecrests,  




Firecrest
Library picture

our pick of the day and the target species. Suddenly the whole day seemed better.   The couple of Goldcrests somehow seemed to be a sideshow. 

Goldcrest
Library picture

Last stop was The Burgh, on the outskirts of Arundel, where we had magnificent views, all afternoon, of Red Kites  with a conservative estimate of 15 seen. 

Red Kite
 Library picture

Also seen were numerous Buzzards and Kestrels.  A single Corn Bunting flew by and landed on a nearby bush, enabling us to get great views. 




Corn Bunting
Library picture

 
No visit to the Burgh is complete without good views of the Grey Partridge and ours was no exception. 

Grey Partridge
Library picture

Several Ravens flew over to add to the occasion. 

Raven
Library picture

Remarkably, throughout the day, there were no other birders or dog walkers around - very welcome and perhaps to be expected with the uncertain weather conditions. 


Today's species list:
Goldcrest
Firecrest
Wren
Marsh Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Treecreeper
Nuthatch
Robin
Dunnock   (10)
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting
Corn Bunting
Meadow Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Skylark   (20)
Blackbird
Jay
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Raven
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Collared Dove
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Grey Partridge   (30)
Pheasant
Lapwing
Moorhen
Coot
Little Grebe
Gadwall
Mallard
Tufted Duck
Pochard
Greylag Goose   (40)
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull
Cormorant
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Red Kite   (50)
House Sparrow
Starling

Not bad for our first day!