31/03/2016. Close to home all day

Thursday 31 March 2016
Selby Road, Uckfield

Our local East Grinstead Group were invited to an Easter event at the Selby Road Nature Reserve.  I am ashamed to say that,  despite living less than a mile away, I had never heard of it.  The weather was glorious with bright sunshine, no wind and clear skies.  The local community turned out in force and enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon.

• With so many people in a confined space there were few birds with the best sightings in the skies overhead where a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard provided the highlights.

• In the evening, at Weir Wood reservoir I enjoyed spectacular views of 5 drake Mandarins competing for the attention of one female.

I agreed to visit the Selby Road reserve again, when things are quieter and more normal, to update the residents on the birds on show there - a labour of love on my own doorstep!

30/03/2016 Arlington Reservoir Red-throated Diver

Wednesday 30 March 2016
Arlington Reservoir

My main exercise of this day came from a circuit of Arlington Reservoir.  It was very muddy underfoot  in parts even though it was dry and bright generally.

• The main highlight was a good sightings of the Red-throated Diver that has been around for some time.

• A single Fieldfare was the pick of the rest.

A good afternoon walk with 26 species seen.

30/03/2016 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Ashdown Forest

Wednesday 30 March 2016
Ashdown Forest

Saw my first Lesser Spotted Woodpecker of the year this morning in the Ashdown Forest.  It was in the same place as in previous years.

Waited from 08.00 until just after 09.00 before we heard it drumming and then we saw it at the top of a tall, bare tree some 50-100 metres away.

Yesterday Alastair saw a male and female in the same area but at the earlier time of 08.15.  The conditions then were more conducive with less breeze and a warmer, sunnier outlook.

Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Year List:
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker   (161)

29/03/2016 Tawny Owl at Weir Wood Reservoir

Tuesday 29/03/2016
Weir Wood Reservoir

• Today, as part of my weekly conservation work at Weir Wood Reservoir I, encountered a Tawny Owl as we checked the nest boxes for signs of breeding.  The bird flew out just before we opened the door of the box. 

• A little later I checked another box and again it was occupied.  This time however I was not so lucky as it attacked me as it escaped and I received a few facial scratches for my troubles.

• A Treecreeper was another notable sighting.

A very interesting day at the office!

28/03/2016 American Wigeon at Pulborough Brooks

Monday 28 March 2016
RSPB Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex

An early start to twitch the American Wigeon,  that was reported yesterday at RSPB Pulborough Brooks.  

• The bird was showing well, on the bank on the opposite side of the water, about 40 metres from West Mead hide.  It entered the water, after a short nap, and moved parallel to the bank, giving excellent views to the assembled birders.

American Wigeon at Pulborough Brooks
Courtesy of Guildford Dragon News

• Also present were a small flock of Sand Martins and a single Swallow.

• The wigeon was a "lifer" for me and my first since the end of November 2015.  

• Paul told me it is almost 20 years since the last one was seen in Sussex.

Additions to BUBO 2016 UK Year List:
American Wigeon   (158)
Sand Martin   (159)
Swallow   (160)

Addition to BUBO UK Life List:
American Wigeon   (309)

27/03/2016 Osprey at Weir Wood Reservoir

Sunday 27 March 2016
Weir Wood Reservoir

Responded to a post on Twitter from Alastair and went down to Weirwood to look for Ospreys in the wet and miserable weather conditions.  There were 5 or 6 like-minded people in the hide. 

• After an hour or so we saw the Osprey approaching from the dam end.  We enjoyed smashing views before it landed on a tree on the opposite side of the water to us.  After a minute or so, it was off again, this time back down the reservoir to the dam end.  

• To fill the gap till the Osprey arrived, mother nature contrived to get a beautiful drake Mandarin to fly in and go down on the water near the hide.  The colours it displayed belied the drab surroundings and were awesome.

• A couple of Chiffchaffs also signalled the start of spring

What a great start to "daylight saving" season!

Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Bird List:
Osprey   (157)

25/03/2016 Rye Harbour for Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls

Friday 25 March 2016
Rye Harbour NNR,  East Sussex

A gloriously sunny day at Rye Harbour with temperatures rising to 15 C.  



37 different species were recorded.

• The main reason for the visit was to see the Sandwich Terns and they did not disappoint -  I saw up to 70.

Sandwich Terns at Rye Harbour
Courtesy of Barry Yates

• At least 6 Mediterranean Gulls were also on show.

•   Avocet numbers were very good with well over 50 seen.

Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Bird list:

Sandwich Tern   (156)

A super couple of hours at a crowded nature reserve where most of those present were not birders.

24/03/2016 Cuckmere Haven and Seven Sisters

Thursday 24 March 2016
Cuckmere Haven and Seven Sisters

4 Spoonbills were seen in the Cuckmere valley yesterday so I decided to go and see if they were there today.  

My mind was also on finding a Wheatear so I decided to look on the Seven Sisters - weather permitting, since the forecast was for rain later in the day.

• I had no luck with either of my target species.  

Best of the rest included:-

• A single Greenshank, sheltering from the wind with the Redshanks.

• A lovely close view of a Peregrine as I walked along the Seven Sisters looking for Wheatears.  It was on the ground, right on the edge of the cliff.  I was able to get within 40 metres before it flew away in a westerly direction.  On the return leg I found it on the next hilltop in almost identical conditions before it flew east, presumably back to it's original position.  

• A pair of Stonechats on the eastern path leading back to the car park.

Today's species list:

Black-headed Gull

Blackbird

Blue Tit

Carrion Crow

Chaffinch

Common Gull

Cormorant

Dunnock

Goldfinch

Great Black-backed Gull

Greater Canada Goose

Greenfinch

Greenshank

Grey Heron

Herring Gull

Jackdaw

Little Egret

Little Grebe

Magpie

Mallard

Meadow Pipit

Mute Swan

Oystercatcher

Peregrine

Redshank

Robin

Rook

Shelduck

Skylark

Song Thrush

Stonechat

Teal

Wigeon

Woodpigeon (34)

23/03/2016 Seaford Head

Wednesday 23 March 2016
Seaford Head, East Sussex

Another glorious morning so I continued yesterday's quest to find the first Wheatear of 2016, this time at Seaford Head on my own. 

• There were plenty of Meadow Pipits and Stonechats but alas I could not find any Wheatears.

Today's species list:

Black –headed Gull	Little Egret
Blackbird	Magpie
Canada Goose	Meadow Pipit
Carrion Crow	Raven
Chaffinch	Robin
Common Gull	Shelduck
Cormorant	Skylark
Curlew	Stonechat
Dunnock	Wigeon
Feral Pigeon
Gadwall
Great Black-backed Gull
Grey Heron
Herring Gull	(25)
Jackdaw
Kestrel

No luck again but I had a good walk from Splash Point down to the cottages on the west side of the Cuckmere before returning via the higher route.

Later on that night between 18.30 and 19.30, whilst helping Chris D with a Toad's Survey, I heard my first Tawny Owl of 2016.


Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Bird List:
Tawny Owl   (155)

22/03/2016 Newhaven Tide Mills and Splash Point, Seaford

Tuesday 22 March 2016
Newhaven Tidemills and Splash Point, Seaford
Paul and Group



Glorious weather today - dry and sunny with no wind.  All 6 of us were quietly confident about finding our first Wheatear of 2016.

• We got off to a good start when we spotted Brent Geese flying east over the harbour and soon afterwards we found the long staying Spotted Redshank among the Redshanks in the lagoon.

• There was no sign of the Black Redstart but we did see several Stonechats.

• Incredibly we did not find any Purple Sandpipers on the east pier but we did manage some smashing views of the Fulmars flying round the cliffs on the west side.

• The Kittiwakes at Splash Point were their usual selves, noisy and busy, preparing their nests on the cliff.

• Another sure sign of spring was provided by the singing Skylarks.

Despite our best efforts, we did not find our target bird.  It looks like the Wheatears are running almost 2 weeks behind schedule in their spring migration this year.  

Today's species list:

Trip Species List
Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Brent Goose Buzzard Carrion Crow Chiffchaff Collared Dove Common Gull Cormorant Dunnock Dunlin Feral Pigeon Fulmar Great Black-backed Gull Great Tit Herring Gull Kestrel Kittiwake Lesser Black-backed Gull	Magpie Meadow Pipit Redshank Robin Rock Pipit Song Thrush Spotted Redshank Skylark Stonechat Woodpigeon Wren (31)

21/03/2016 Dartford Warbler and Redwing

Monday 21/03/2016

All that I could find of interest today was a Dartford Warbler on my patch and a group of 50+ Redwing at Buxted Park, where I had no luck with the Barn Owl.

19/03/2016 Titchfield Haven with the East Grinstead Group

Saturday 19th March 2016
Titchfield Haven NR,  Hampshire
East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

7 of us, including newcomers Elizabeth and Mark from Cowden, made the long journey to Titchfield Haven in Hampshire where we were rewarded with a great day’s birding, involving 67 species.

• ·       Bird of the day for most of us was the Eider.  We had distant views on the sea to the west of the visitors centre at the start but at the end of our visit these were eclipsed by superb close views in the sea just outside the centre.  The group of 12 included 8 drakes and was less than 100 metres away – stunning!

• ·       A Great Northern Diver, a small flock of Brent Geese, a small flock of Sanderling and a group of Common Scoter provided the support cast on the sea.

• ·       On the reserve, at least 5 Mediterranean Gulls were seen at close quarters - much to the delight of all of us.

• ·       Superb close views of 3 Snipe also added to the excitement.

• ·       The 50+ Black-tailed Godwits, the pair of Barnacle Geese, the 25+ Avocets and the Marsh Harriers were the pick of the remaining birds seen on the reserve.

Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Year List

Eider   (154)

Despite the grey skies and low temperatures we had a lovely time – so much so that we had to be asked to leave the reserve as they had closed some 15 minutes earlier!

At long last I was able to add a new species to my year list - a wait of over 3 weeks!

Trip Species List
Avocet Barnacle Goose Blackbird Black-headed Gull Black-necked Grebe Black-tailed Godwit Blue Tit Brent Goose Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti’s Warbler Coal Tit Common Gull Common Scoter	Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Marsh Harrier Mediterranean Gull Mute Swan Moorhen Oystercatcher Pheasant Pied Wagtail Pochard Redshank Ringed Plover Robin
Coot Cormorant Dunnock Dunlin Eider Gadwall Goldcrest Goldfinch Great Black-backed Gull Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Great Northern Diver Greenfinch Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull House Sparrow Kestrel Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull	Sanderling Shelduck Sparrowhawk Starling Teal Shoveler Snipe  Song Thrush Stock Dove Teal Turnstone Water Rail (heard) Wigeon Woodpigeon Wren Mistle Thrush Song Thrush (67)

17/03/2016 Local Walk 3 Home to Buxted Park Walk

Thursday 17th March 2016
Buxted Park Walk
Local Walk 3

This time I went north from our home and headed for Buxted Park.  Again the weather was excellent but the ground was very muddy in parts after the rain earlier in the week.

There were plenty of birds around and the feeling throughout was that the birds were busy preparing for the breeding season.

• Bird of the day had to be the Grey Wagtail enjoying the pool in the field by the railway crossing.

• Winter Thrushes were very much in evidence with 25+ of Redwing and Fieldfare.

• The geese were very active with 30+ Canada's and the same number of Greylags.

• I stayed until after dusk but had no luck with the Barn Owl or the Tawny Owls.

A lovely late afternoon walk with lots of birds around.

Today's Species List
Blackbird
Black-headed Gull
Blue Tit
Buzzard
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Collared Dove
Dunnock
Fieldfare
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Green Woodpecker
Greylag Goose
Grey Wagtail
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Little Egret
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Redwing
Robin
Rook
Siskin
Song Thrush
Wren
(35)

16/03/2016 Local Walk 2 Home to Mount Ephraim Walk

Wednesday 16th March 2016
Local Walk 2
Mount Ephraim Walk


This time I headed SE from the house.  In good weather, the going was very heavy underfoot by virtue of the heavy overnight rain. 

Today's Species List
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Collared Dove
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Green Woodpecker
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Pheasant
Robin
Rock Dove
Rook
Siskin
Song Thrush
Starling
Woodpigeon
Wren
(27)

15/03/2016 Weir Wood Reservoir

Tuesday 15th March 2016
Weir Wood Reservoir

My usual weekly stint with the Friends of Weir Wood Reservoir produced some interesting sightings:-

• On Pintail bank we flushed at least 15 Snipe as we carried out a survey for mice and voles etc.

• The feeders by the hide produced the usual sightings with Marsh Tit, Coal Tit and Greenfinch the pick of the bunch.  

• No sign of the Kingfishers or the Mandarins.

• The survey gave us 12+ Wood Mice, 13 Voles, 1 Water Shrew and 4 Toads.  Another couple of weeks should see us finding snakes etc.

Today's Species List

Blackbird

Black-headed Gull

Blue Tit

Buzzard

Canada Goose

Carrion Crow

Chaffinch

Coal Tit

Dunnock

Goldfinch

Great Crested Grebe

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Tit

Green Woodpecker

Grey Heron

Greylag Goose

Jackdaw

Long-tailed Tit

Magpie

Mallard

Marsh Tit

Pheasant

Robin

Snipe

Tufted Duck

Woodpigeon

Wren

(27)

Another worthwhile conservation experience!

14/03/2016 Local Walk 1 Framfield to Blackboys Circular Walk

Monday 14th March 2016
Framfield to Blackboys Circular Walk
Local Walk 1
Time to go out and about near my home on this the first of several local walks!  

One of my favourites is the route from my house out through the fields to Framfield then following a circular route to Blackboys. Weather conditions were nigh on perfect with a clear, dry but cold afternoon.

Only 25 species were seen but there were some interesting birds.

• Bird of the day had to be Redwing with a group of 6 seen in a field, on the return leg, on the Wealden Way NE of Framfield.

• A Grey Wagtail near Arches Farm was a pleasant surprise.

• A Goldcrest, a lovely Green Woodpecker, a pair of Long-tailed Tits, a Skylark and numerous Buzzards provided the remaining highlights.

A smashing way to spend just over 3 hours!



Today's species list

Blackbird
Blue Tit
Buzzard
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Goldcrest
Great Tit
Green Woodpecker
Grey Wagtail
Greylag Goose
Jackdaw
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Robin
Rook
Skylark
Song Thrush
Starling
Woodpigeon
Wren
Redwing (25)

12/03/2016 "Odds and Sods"

Not much to report lately!  

Groombridge  29/02/16
The only bird of any degree of interest above the normal was a Snipe.



Weir Wood Reservoir  08/03/16

• Just missed out on a Tawny Owl which my colleagues saw as they carried out routine maintenance on the bird boxes. Unfortunately I was in a different area.  Another day perhaps!

• We are all rather proud of our hedge laying.

Churlwood, Ashdown Forest
Following a tip off from our leader Sue, I got 2 excellent views of a Dartford Warbler on a section adjacent to my patch.  I now need to extend my coverage to include this good habitat.  A couple of Fieldfare provided a good side show.





New Forest, 11/03/16
1.  Mark   Ash Wood 

• No luck with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

2.  Acres Down

• Hard work with Goshawk this year with only one seen.  
• Wood Lark, Stonechat, Mistle Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Raven and Meadow Pipit provided a little consolation. 

3.  Piper's Waite

• Just missed out on 4 Goshawks.
• An excellent view of a single Hawfinch was, again, scant consolation.

Pett Level and Rye Harbour   12/03/16

• No sign of the Glossy Ibis or the Ruffs at Pett Level

• Lots of activity but all involving the regular birds with no unusual species around.

I spent the last 90 minutes at the Bittern viewing platform at Rye Harbour NNR

• I was greeted by a superb view of a Barn Owl as I arrived with a return some 30 minutes later.

• As the light faded the Marsh Harriers arrived in force and at one point I had 4 in the scope view.

• Other birds of interest included Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Fieldfare and Cetti's Warbler (heard).

Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Year List
Goshawk   (153)