17/12/2014 A new bird at last! Richard's Pipit at Horse Eye Level in East Sussex

Wednesday 17th December 2014
Horse Eye Level, Pevensey in East Sussex
with Paul

Paul and I decided to have another go at finding the Richard's Pipit that everyone else in the world, other than us, seems to have seen at Horse Eye Level near Pevensey in East Sussex.  This was my second try and Paul's fourth.  Expectations were high as the pipit was seen on several occasions yesterday.  We chose a late start, in line with the information we had put together to maximise our chances of a sighting.  The weather was overcast but dry and a lot warmer than yesterday.

Early on we compensated for a no show by the star item by watching  2 Ring-tailed Hen Harriers, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ravens and a pair of Stonechats.  Normally we would have settled for this cast list but we desperately wanted to see the Richard's Pipit; it was beginning to look like our futile Shrike pursuit at Greatham all over again.


By mid afternoon we still had no success and we were beginning to think it was not to be.  We decided to stay, thinking that we would see some Short-eared Owls at least. 

Short-eared Owl
Library picture

 

 True to form we saw a couple that had been flushed by a pack of hunting dogs.  The views were immense and we were treated to a master class of these birds in flight. 

Short-eared Owl
Library picture

• Paul did one final scan of the area and lo and behold there it was - the star item showing really well about 50 metres away!  My first Richard's Pipit of 2014 and showing infinitely better than my only previous sighting, in Norfolk last year.



• We savoured the views of this rare bird and I was able to check the key ID features - upright posture (like a Mistle Thrush), bobbing it's tail (like a Wagtail) and the distinctive facial marks near the eye.  By this time we were the only birders there - at least a half dozen or so had given up and gone home.  It had taken us over 4 hours to achieve our goal.



Richard's Pipit
Library picture

Not many birds today but what a stellar cast.

Today's species list:
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Carrion Crow
Robin
Chaffinch
Wren
Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Marsh Harrier
Ringtail Hen Harrier
Raven   (10)
Short-eared Owl
Stonechat
Cormorant
Mute Swan
Meadow Pipit
Snipe
Grey Heron
Kestrel
Woodpigeon
Blackbird   (20)
Magpie
Starling



Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Richard's Pipit   (275)

Patience finally paid off!