West Dean Woods
Paul and group 11.30 to 13.45
Nine of our group made the long trip to West Dean Woods, north of Chichester, where we hoped to see Hawfinches, a Little Owl and Firecrests. I made a few mistakes en route and arrived over 30 minutes late despite setting off in good time. Weather conditions were excellent - a typical December afternoon, cold and crisp but sunny and dry.
We managed 2 out of 3 of our wish list, dipping only on the Firecrest.
- We worked hard to get a sighting of the Hawfinch, finally being rewarded with a superb view of one in the canopy of a tree adjacent to the West Dean Estate; earlier we managed a fleeting view of 5 as they flew by.
- The Little Owl was showing well in the usual tree at Staple Ash Farm - indeed I was only seconds away from seeing a second as it disappeared from view just before I was ready.
Just before the end we came across 3 Red Kites in the skies to the south east of us and soon after we stumbled on an obvious roost spot - a couple of trees with at least 10 Red Kite and 2 Buzzards. Some finale!
Today's species list:
Goldcrest
Chaffinch
Marsh Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Green Woodpecker
Red Kite
Little Owl
Greenfinch (10)
Hawfinch
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Redwing
Woodpigeon
Pheasant
Kestrel
Buzzard (20)
Sparrowhawk
Robin
Dunnock
Wren
Chiffchaff
Nuthatch
Jay
Magpie
Starling
House Sparrow (30)
Yellowhammer
Raven
Patience really paid off today with some quality birds showing well in the end!
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