w/e 24 April This week's highlights

Monday 19th April 2021

Old Lodge NR

• Just time for an afternoon jaunt to Old Lodge NR where I finally got to see my first Redstart of the year - a stunning male!

Tuesday 20th April 2021

• Spent the morning, as usual, with the Weir Wood Work Party doing the weekly snake survey.  Much the same as last week with just 1 grass snake, lots of voles and toads and a few mice and shrews.  On the birding front there were 2 Common Terns flying around at the west end.

• Earlier, at the Old Airstrip in the Ashdown Forest, I attended an in-service training session with James Adler on Dartford Warbler Surveys.  He passed on some very useful help and demonstrated his ideas practically with a cracking Dartford Warbler sighting and another one heard calling from the heather.  As a bonus I saw my first Whitethroat of 2021.

Wednesday 21st April 2021

• Another late afternoon session, this time on the path south from Uckfield to Isfield where I encountered my first Nightingale of 2021, singing away in the same bushes as last year.

Thursday 22nd April 2021

• Spent a delightful 3 hours on a guided tour of Broadwater Warren with Kevin.

Friday 23rd April 2021

• My afternoon jaunt today saw me in Chichester twitching the Ring-necked Duck at Honer Reservoir.

courtesy of SelseyBirder and Twitter

• I then moved on to the reserve at Pagham to look at the Spotted Redshank that the Selsey Birders Group had been writing about.
• I finally finished up at Church Norton and found just 1 Little Tern resting by the edge of the water with lots of Sandwich Terns

Saturday 24th April

• At Weir Wood Reservoir I finally got to see my first Mandarins of the year with several sightings, mainly males, flying and swimming around.
• Pride of place however went to the single Arctic Tern seen with the Common Terns.

Norfolk Revisited at Last!

Saturday 17th April

With Marcus

Norfolk

After 15 months away it was so reassuring to go back to Norfolk with Marcus and the group.  Obviously we had to follow the Covid guidelines; our party was made up of 4 birders only, we used our own vehicles to get around and it was only for 1 day so B&B accommodation was not needed.  It meant setting off from home at 04.00, getting to our rendezvous point just after 07.00 leaving a little time to have a nap before the start at 08.30.  Proceedings finished about 16.45 and I was home by 20.15.

The weather was bright and sunny but very chilly out of the sun.  We spent most of the day at Burnham Overy targeting Ring Ouzel and Wheatear plus as many migrant birds as we could find.  In the afternoon we relocated to the east side of Wells before finishing the day with a 1 hour stop at Morston.

Burnham Overy

• While I was waiting for the event to start I was encouraged by the sight of a Red Kite circling overhead and providing superb views.  Then I found several Grey Partridge and about the same number of Red-legged Partridge at a different part of the field. 
• On the track down to the dunes the highlight was a close sighting - yes sighting - of a Cetti's Warbler as it sat at the very top of a low bush and posed for the cameras.  

                                                                     courtesy of Marcus Nash

• A stunning Sedge Warbler was also seen at close range.  

 courtesy of Marcus Nash

•  Incredibly we saw no sign of Whitethroat or Lesser Whitethroat.
• A Great White Egret flew by and shortly afterwards we saw a couple of Spoonbills flying east.

 courtesy of Marcus Nash

• The pools either side of the track gave us sightings of Knot, Grey Plover,Golden Plover, Little Grebe, Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel among other more common species. 

Time spent on the dunes was a huge anticlimax with no sign of Ring Ouzels, Wheatears, Hirundines or even Stonechat.  There were scores of Linnets and Meadow Pipits but no sign of any bird movement relating to migration.  We went as far as the tower hide in Holkham Woods and viewed the area from ground level at the side of the hide. 

• The most notable bird was a Reed Warbler singing away before showing itself.  
• Further views of the Spoonbills feeding by the edge of the water in the field kept us going as did the intermittent sights of the Great White Egret flying to and fro. 

courtesy of Marcus Nash

• On the way back we picked up good views of several Pink-footed Geese, albeit not in good condition, that had remained when their compatriots had left a couple of months ago.

Wells-next- the Sea

After lunch we moved to the North Point Pools just east of Wells-next-the-Sea.  

• On the marsh adjacent to the car park we added Ruff and Common Gull to our list for the day. 
• Then we moved north about 100 metres to another marsh to get excellent views of the Grey Phalarope that had been around for 4-5 days.

                                                                          courtesy of Marcus Nash

• Next we moved slightly west to view from the back of the original marsh.  Marcus thought he saw a Jack Snipe fly in to the vegetation 30 metres in front of us.  When we looked all we could find was a Common Snipe but Marcus remained confident that he had seen a bird with a shorter bill.  We moved to the top of the bank to look from a higher vantage point and lo and behold the Jack Snipe showed itself.  It was right in front of the Common Snipe, enabling us to contrast the ID features, principally size, bill size and head pattern.  What a master class in birding from Marcus!
• We even managed to find a couple of Swallows and Sand Martins.

With just over an hour to go news came in from Titchwell of a Bluethroat sighting.  After a brief discussion, we decided unanimously not to drive there; the bird had been seen 5 hours earlier and had just reappeared and there would be problems parking at this late hour.  Marcus was anxious for us to see a Ring Ouzel and proposed that we moved east again to Morston where 3 had been reported earlier.

Morston

• We didn't find 3 in our short time there but we did locate a superb male lurking near the hedge.  Not long after it moved out into the open field  for all to see and the photographers had a field day!

 courtesy of Marcus Nash

• By way of a bonus we saw 2 of the 3 Whimbrels known to be there as well as a cracking Greenshank in the channel.
• Just as we headed back to the car we could hear clearly the call of a Tawny Owl from the trees in the nearby church.

A splendid trip!  Spring migration was clearly on hold here too but we made the most of what we had and it was great to be back to somewhere near normal.

Newhaven and Seaford Area for Gulls

Thursday 15th April 2021

• First stop was Splash Point to see the Kittiwake colony breeding on the ledges of the cliffs.  One of my favourite spectacles on the birding calendar.
• Then it was off to West Quay at Newhaven Harbour where I watched the breeding Fulmars on the cliff ledges - another wonderful spectacle.

A lovely way to spend a couple of hours on the south coast!

Birding with Sara at The Burgh

Wednesday 14th April 2021

The Burgh, Sussex

Spent the late morning with Sara at The Burgh.  It was overcast and chilly but we managed to do some good birding.

• The Red Kites and Buzzards kept us interested as they showed well throughout our stay
• Partridges were the order of the day with both Grey Partridge and Red-legged Partridge seen in the field south of the car parking area at The Triangle.

Always a pleasure to go birding with Sara!

Cuckoo at Old Lodge

Monday 12th April 2021

Old Lodge NR, Ashdown Forest

Martin and I spent the early morning in the snow at Old Lodge.  

• We had no luck with Redstarts but we did hear our first Cuckoo of the year.

11/04 2021 White-throated Sparrow

Sunday 11th April 2021

Recreation Ground

Barcombe

East Sussex

A White-throated Sparrow, from the USA, has been around my locality since February 2021 but because of the "stay at home" lockdown advice, I have been unable to go and see it.  Thankfully it stayed and I was able to make the trip yesterday. Boy was the wait worth it.

A recreation ground on a sunny Sunday afternoon is not the ideal birding viewing position and there was certainly lots of activity with families using the facility.  

Despite the noise and the proximity of the patrons, I managed to enjoy fabulous views.  I even had time to ring Martin and invite him down to see this lovely visitor.

courtesy of James King and Twitter

courtesy of Ray O'Reilly and Twitter

• White-throated sparrows breed in central Canada and New England. They nest either on the ground under shrubs or low in trees in deciduous or mixed forest areas and lay three to five brown-marked blue or green-white eggs.
• In winter, this species migrates to the southern and eastern United States. They are differential migrants with females migrating farther, increasing the proportion of females at lower latitudes in the Atlantic flyway.
• It stays year round in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. 
• This bird is a rare vagrant to western Europe. 
• Alongside some other species such as the cardinal, dark-eyed junco, song sparrow and chickadees, this species ranks among the most abundant native birds during winter in eastern North America.

Not a "lifer" - I have seen them in the USA - but a first for me in the UK.

Odds and Sods 2

 Saturday 10th April 2021

Churlwood, Ashdown Forest

• I spent the early morning on a Dartford Warbler survey, hearing 1 but not able to make a sighting.  
• I also heard 2 singing Woodlarks which was also part of our survey remit.

                                                       Saturday 10th April 2021

                                                           Weirwood Reservoir

Before heading home I detoured to Weirwood Reservoir to look for a couple of Little Ringed Plovers that AG had reported earlier.  Whilst there I bumped into Gareth and his friend.

The Little Ringed Plovers were still there at the opposite end of the dam to us but the ID was confirmed as they moved towards us.

Also present was a lovely Grey Wagtail and several Hirundines, mostly Swallows but there was a single House Martin that Gareth's friend spotted preening by the edge of the water.

Another week where my birding got back on track - now up to 112 on my 2021 year list and 357 on my UK all time list. 

Odds and Sods 1

Friday 9th April 2021 

Crawley Area - again.

This time I took Alastair with me on the Raptor hunt.  We had a similar experience with at least 1 Goshawk, a Red Kite, a Grey Wagtail lots of Buzzards and lots of lovely singing Blackcaps.

Fabulous Birding in Sussex - Goshawks and a Mockingbird

 Thursday 8th April 2021

Crawley Area

I organised a morning visit, with Martin and Shaun, to look for Raptors.  Conditions were just about ideal with bright sunshine and a light breeze.

Pick of the birds was the Goshawk.  We had 1 very good sighting and a second, more distant bird was also most welcome.

Several Red Kites were seen - all giving excellent views.

I saw my first Grey Wagtail of 2021.

A Kestrel and numerous Buzzards completed our Raptor sightings.

News was coming in from Pulborough village of a probable sighting a Northern Mockingbird, thought to be the one that had been causing all kinds of excitement in Devon in the past few days.  

Pulborough Village, West Sussex

By the time I returned home for lunch the sighting was confirmed so I decided to travel the 38 miles or so to twitch this bird.

As I joined the 40-50 birders on the field near the car park, the Northern Mockingbird was showing brilliantly in the bushes in the gardens of the nearby houses.  I spent a fabulous 30 minutes watching this rare UK visitor from the USA during which time it moved around a bit but was always in view.

courtesy of Matt@mostlyscarce and twitter

courtesy of Matt@mostlyscarce and twitter

                                                                                              courtesy of Matt@mostlyscarce and twitter

courtesy of Matt@mostlyscarce and twitter

Matt@mostly scarce shot these pictures from his garden in Pulborough.  

That is some garden tick Matt!

And on your birthday - unbelievable good luck!

Not a lifer for me as I have seen several in Virginia, USA whilst visiting Adam and Jean, but a first for me in the UK and a first for Sussex I hear.

I had to get back home to take the dogs out for their evening walk so I couldn't pop into nearby RSPB Pulborough Brooks to see the Pied Flycatcher.  I hope to see this bird in Cumbria with Brian soon 

• The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. 
• This bird is mainly a permanent resident, but northern birds may move south during harsh weather. 
• The mockingbird is influential in United States culture, being the state bird of five states, appearing in book titles, songs and lullabies, and making other appearances in popular culture.

• This species has rarely been observed in Europe. 
• It was first seen on 23 January 2021 and represents the first record anywhere in Britain or the Western Palearctic in more than 30 years – the last was as far back as 1988.
• The bird I saw is thought to be the same one.

Best day for some time! 

Old Lodge

Wedenesday 7th April 2021

Old Lodge NR

Target species was Redstart, after a few reports of them returning on the reserve.  Unfortunately I was unable to find any during my 2 hour stay late morning.

• The best I could do was to enjoy the many Redpolls that were flitting around.  A close Sparrowhawk was a decent sideshow.
• Bird of the day was my first Willow Warbler of 2021 which I heard and then saw as I walked around.
• It was nice to bump into Bridget and Paul near the end.  As we were talking, Paul drew my attention to a Raven flying overhead.

A good walk - the Redstarts will be centre stage in the next week or so!

Weirwood Reservoir

 Tuesday 6th April 2021

Weirwood Reservoir, East Sussex

Another routine workparty meeting.  

• The snake survey again produced a single grass snake under the same sheet as last week on Pintail Bank.  It's still early days and most of the snakes are still hibernating.
• Star bird for me was a delightful Yellowhammer that showed on the fence in Whillets.  There were also a good number of Blackcaps singing away in the background.
• At the end of the morning, on my way home, I visited the dam end of the reservoir where I was pleased to find a Green Sandpiper in the channel linking the car park area to the dam.
• On the reservoir I saw at least 4 Swallows.

Things are moving nicely

 Week ending 03/04/2021

Old Lodge NR

No sign of my target species - Woodlark, but I did hear then see my first Raven of the year on Monday afternoon.

Weir Wood Reservoir

• I managed to see my first Blackcaps, Stock Doves and Egyptian Geese on Tuesday morning as we did the second snake survey of the new season.  
• Highlight of the day however was our first grass snake of the year on Pintail Bank.

Old Airstrip on the Ashdown Forest

Went birding with Shaun on Wednesday.

• I found a Dartford Warbler in the bushes close to the car park as I waited for Shaun to turn up.
• We had several sightings of Lesser Redpoll with Siskins.  
• Even managed to see a Woodlark - our target species - when one flew up from the ground a few metres ahead of us.  
• Highlight for me was a small flock of Common Crossbills seen near the end of our walk, in the canopy of the pines close to the car park.
• Linnets were around.

Dartford  Warbler Survey

• I found no further Dartford Warblers on my patch on Thursday morning.  
• There were plenty of Chiffchaffs, Coal Tits, Dunnocks and Song Thrushes.

Rye Harbour

I normally wouldn't  touch Rye Harbour on Good Friday but with cold, breezy conditions forecast for the day I decided to go down in the morning.  It was a good decision because it wasn't overrun with holidaymakers.  With all the hides closed it wasn't possible to get the full works; nevertheless I did add 9 birds to my year list. 

• It was such a delight to see the Avocets.
• I managed a brief view of a Wheatear before it was flushed by the cyclists.
• Other species seen for the first time in 2021 included Brent Geese, Cetti's Warbler, Dunlin, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and Shelduck.

Dungeness 

I spent the afternoon at Dungeness.  Thankfully the Reserve Village road had reopened and I was able to access the lighthouse area and beach.

• Target bird was Garganey on Denge Marsh.  I managed to see 4 fabulous drakes and at least 1 female at the far side of the water opposite the cutting that had been made to the right of the closed hide.  Early birders had seen 18, the majority of which were drakes - a record for Dungeness in recent years!  
• On the path from the hide to the viewing ramp I came across a superb stoat running along ahead of me - a cracking bonus!
• I also saw my first Lapwing of the year on the way to see the Garganey.
• I looked for the Glossy Ibis on the reserve and on ARC but with no success.  It had been spotted earlier flying towards Boulderwell Farm but I couldn't find it.
• From the very limited viewing from the track just past the closed Screen Hide  I saw Gadwall, a super drake Goldeneye, Shovelers and 20+ Sand Martins.
• Bird of the day however was the Bittern.  I couldn't see it because the screen hide was closed but I heard it "booming" on 2 separate occasions.

At the "patch" to failed twitch the Iceland Gull. Try as I may I couldn't find it among the many gulls showing.  I must have been the only birder that day not to see it! 

• I had to settle for at one Mediterranean Gull for my 2021 list.

Warnham Nature Reserve, Horsham

I just had to go to Horsham to twitch the Little Bunting that has been around for over 3 weeks.  After a short wait the bird appeared in the trees in front of the hide and I enjoyed fabulous views from less than 10 metres away.  I even managed to hear it singing away right in front of me. Awesome!

courtesy of harvey@harvey_S_86 on twitter

courtesy of Jenni@JenniDx on Twitter

A welcome, busy week with lots of sightings to boost my year list to 103