29/03/2021 Lockdown is over and year list is only 76!

 Week ending 28th March 2021

Things started to move this week with another snake survey at Weir Wood Reservoir,  my first day doing a Dartford Warbler survey for the Ashdown Bird Group on my patch at Churlwood and, of course, taking the dogs for a walk twice daily in the area close to our home.

I managed to increase my year count to 76, starting with Chiffchaffs on my dog walks, Nuthatch and Snipe at Weir Wood on Tuesday morning and a Dartford Warbler at Churlwood on Thursday.

My lowest total at this stage of the year for a long long time but I am pleased with it!

16/03/2021 Snake Survey - preparations for the 2021 survey at Weir Wood Reservoir

Tuesday 16 March 2021

Weir Wood Reservoir,  Sussex

Back volunteering at Weir Wood Reservoir for the first time this year.  Bob D and myself sorted out the 65+ sheets we will need; replacing missing or damaged sheets with new ones and positioning the rest ready for our weekly survey.

• No snakes yet but 2 voles 12 mice 6 toads and the star of the show a lovely water shrew.
• I even managed to add a Treecreeper to my 2021 year list for birds.
• No sign of any Kingfishers, Mandarins or Stock Doves in the 15 minute slot I allowed myself at the end of the survey.
• The new Tern raft, funded by the Barbara Mortlock legacy, via the SOS, was floated into position today and looked superb.

Good to be back!

Lockdown Birding Update

Saturday 6 March 2021

Update

Today I added to my 2021 year list for the first time since 12 January.  

At a pond just south of Victoria Park in Uckfield I saw my first Coot of the year!  Shortly afterwards I saw my first Skylark - singing away 20 metres above the field in which I was walking.

I have been sticking rigidly to the lockdown rules so finding it hard to see new species.  I am keeping fit and walking in the community with and without the dogs.   Most of my usual routes are now crowded with lots of folks out taking exercise.  I'm not driving so can't get to the Ashdown Forest, Weir Wood Reservoir, Arlington Reservoir or the South Coast. 

The Coot and the Skylark brought my year list total up to 71 - my lowest, at this point, since I started birding.

Can't wait to get going again.