A Not-So - Clever Seawatch

Sunday 23rd May 2021

Splash Point

Seaford, Sussex

I persuaded Martin, the leader of the Ashdown Forest Bird Group, to include seawatching in their programme of birding activities to give them something different from usual.  When the date was announced I thought they had got it wrong as we should have gone 3-4 weeks ago when migration was in full swing.  Martin checked his emails and confirmed the date was one set by me - major faux pas on my part!

7 members turned up, most at 07.00 and a couple just after.  Thankfully the rain held off and we were able to seat ourselves on the shoreline and look for birds on the move.

• Unfortunately there wasn't much movement!  All we saw was a flock of Common Scoters, a few Oystercatchers, a few Fulmars and various gulls, mainly Herring Gulls and the odd Great Black-backed Gull.
• Thankfully everyone appreciated the earlier visit to the adjacent Kittiwake colony to see the birds nesting on the ledges of the chalk cliffs. 

courtesy of Martin Jeffree

By 08.30 it was clear that nothing was happening and we were all getting cold and miserable so I suggested we bite the bullet and call time on the event.  There were no objections!

Not my best days work!  Must try harder!

Booming Bitterns, Turtle Doves, Hobbies and Bearded Tits

Saturday 22nd May 2021

Stodmarsh NNR, near Canterbury, Kent

East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

For our first full-day outing since lockdown ended, we made the long trip to the outskirts of Canterbury to visit Stodmarsh NNR.  The weather was awful when we set off from Sussex, got even worse as we moved into Kent but, thankfully, it eased by the time we arrived at the reserve. Incredibly, our luck held and we enjoyed fine weather throughout the course of the day with only a hint of rain late afternoon.  The birds took advantage of the improving weather and came out to play, providing us with a super birding experience.

However, only 4 of us made the trip.  4 members cried off on the day, a few were on other trips and several regulars were still not ready to re-commence birding in groups. For the lucky 4, the reserve was almost deserted and we had a the run of the place for long periods of time.  No worries about social distancing here today!

• Bitterns were booming regularly from the start but I was not picking up the sound.  Finally, I was in a position to hear them - much to my relief and the amusement of the other 3 members.
• Hobbies are a staple here at this time of year.  We had at least 12 excellent sightings all over the reserve - mainly of the bird in flight but on one occasion we enjoyed a close view of one perched on a post.

courtesy of Steve Elks and Facebook

                                                   courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

• I saw my first Bearded Tits for nearly 2 years when Martin picked up on a couple showing well from the Reedbed Hide.
• Our primary target species was Turtle Dove and here too we were in luck.  We heard at least 2 as we walked beside the banks of the Great Stour, before seeing one as we veered to the right to follow the footpath to the Viewpoint for lunch.  The movement that we picked up in the trees turned out to be just a Woodpigeon but Martin noticed another static bird perched in the same tree which turned out to be the Turtle Dove.  We had ample time to set up our scopes and enjoy splendid views. After 2 failed attempts to see this species at the Knepp Estate, I was particularly pleased with this sighting.

                                                      courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

• Cuckoos are another favourite here in May and their sound was as ubiquitous as that of the booming Bitterns.  We also had a couple of excellent sightings - one from the Reedbed Hide as the bird flew to and fro between some trees and another as we walked along the river bank where 2 birds flew across the path.

courtesy of Alan Collins and Facebook

• We had great fun sorting out the differences between the sounds made by the Reed and Sedge Warblers.  Thankfully we made several sightings to back up our efforts.
• Similarly we heard then saw several Garden Warblers and Blackcaps.
• We saw plenty of Swifts as well as House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows of course.
• Common Terns were present in decent numbers.

courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

• The inevitable Marsh Harriers looked majestic as they flew low over the reedbeds.

                                                                courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

• We even found a Marsh Frog asleep in the soggy vegetation, a few metres away, as we watched from the Marsh Hide.  These are huge - over 10 cm long!

                                                             courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

All in all we saw over 60 species during our stay - a great reward for gambling with the weather!

I have to say there has been some sterling work done on the hides at this reserve since last I visited - very impressive!

Weir Wood Reservoir with Sara

 Friday 21st May 2021

Weir Wood Reservoir

We visited Weir Wood Reservoir early this afternoon to try out Sara and Jen's new binoculars.  Weather conditions were not good with strong winds and heavy showers around.

Really impressed with the binoculars.  The birds weren't too bad either. 

• Pick of the bunch were the 3 drake Mandarins.  Sara spotted them flying from the north bank towards the study area.  They landed in the water for a few seconds before disappearing into the trees - just time enough for me to get a good scope view but not enough time for Sara I'm afraid.

courtesy of Friends of Weir Wood 

                                                                         courtesy of Friends of Weir Wood 

• There were a few Swallows around...... 

  courtesy of Friends of Weir Wood 

• .... and these were joined by 20+ House Martins

  courtesy of Friends of Weir Wood 

• There were a few Common Terns on the rafts.

                                                                           courtesy of Friends of Weir Wood 

• I finally managed to see my first Kingfisher of the year as one flew in front of the hide from right to left.

  courtesy of Friends of Weir Wood 

An most enjoyable hour birding with my daughter! 

 

Woodcock and Nightjar at Hindleap, Ashdown Forest

 Wednesday  19th May 2021

Hindleap, Ashdown Forest

My first trip of 2021, down to Brian and Jayne's seat at Hindleap in the Ashdown Forest to look for any returning Nightjars.  It was a lovely clear night so the conditions were ideal.

• Just before 9 p.m. I heard the first "churring" and a few minutes later a cracking male took to the air, flying low over the vegetation just below me. 
• A few minutes earlier there was the welcome sight of a roding Woodcock just above the treeline.

Another good season for Nightjars and Woodcock?  I think so.

Cattle Egret at Charleston Reedbed

Thursday 13 May 2021

Charleston Reedbed, Sussex

First chance to go down to the River Cuckmere to look for the Cattle Egret that had been around for a few days. 

I decided to park near the church at Litlington and walk south along the riverbank.  

• Eventually I found it associating with the cattle (of course) mid-way between the Charleston Reedbeds and Exceat.  As I didn't have my scope with me the views were rather distant so I made the long walk back to the car and then drove to the Friston Forest car park where I enjoyed much better views of this lovely bird which is rapidly spreading in Sussex

   An easy twitch and some very useful exercise at one of my favourite areas by the coast.

Knepp Estate for Nightingales and White Stork

Wednesday 12th May 2021

Knepp Estate

I organised a guided visit to the Knepp Estate for our East Grinstead Local RSPB Group.  As the Covid rules still applied we were only allowed 2 groups of 5 members.  I knew the area really well and, since there was a waiting list of 12,  I decided not to take up a place.  After making sure everything was in place at the start at 09.30, Patrick and I made our way from the group to take to the public footpaths around the site.  The weather was spot on with good visibility, sunshine and a light breeze.

• Even while we were all congregating  at the start we caught sight of a couple of White Storks flying majestically above us.  This was to be the forerunner of many we would see over the period of our visit, including several that were sitting on nests.  What superb wallpaper for any visit - well done Charlie and Isabella, the owners of the estate.

courtesy of Alastair Gray and Twitter

courtesy of Tony Juniper and Twitter

courtesy of Tony Juniper and Twitter

• It wasn't long before we were in among the Nightingales enjoying their opera-like singing. We must have found around 7 or 8 territories as we made our way around. If the White Storks provided the glamour the Nightingales gave us the sensational background music. 
• There were all kinds of passerines including Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Garden Warblers etc.
• The only target species to elude us was Turtle Dove - we neither saw or heard any even though we knew they were present.

The main group saw all the target birds, with some excellent views, and came away well satisfied with their mornings experience.  It's obviously about to become a fixture on the birding calendar of the group.

Patrick and I have arranged to go back on Sunday, weather permitting, with a much earlier start to maximise our chances of seeing/hearing Turtle Dove.

Wonderful Knepp - it gets better every year

Norfolk 2 with Marcus

Monday 10th May 2021

Norfolk

Marcus Nash

Another day in Norfolk with Marcus.  I followed the same pattern as before, leaving home at 05.00 to be there for a 08.30 start.  This time our group consisted of Marcus, 4 ladies and myself to comply with the "rule of 6" Covid regulation. This time we were centred on the Cley/Salthouse area for most of the day before relocating to to the North Point Pools (just east of Wells-next-the-Sea) to finish the day.  The weather forecast changed at the eleventh hour with showers now a real threat to our day.  Thankfully we dodged most of them and managed to get in a full birding experience, finishing around 17.00 and I arrived home just before 20.30.

• There was much more evidence of migration in action this time round.  Hirundines were clearly moving west following the coastline as were Redpolls and other migrants.  I saw my first Swifts of the year - scores of them dashing around.  
• As we walked east from the centre following the footpath by the road there was a smashing Lesser Whitethroat, uncharacteristically showing well at the top of the bushes close by.  There were, of course, several Common Whitethroats, characteristically singing away and showing well. 
  
  courtesy of Marcus Nash

• Low and behold, a minute or two later, we heard then saw a superb Garden Warbler in the same area.  It had obviously just arrived as it made no attempt to hide from us.

                                                                                 courtesy of Marcus Nash

• On the freshwater marsh we saw the first of many Wheatears - what a contrast to a few weeks ago when we couldn't find any for love or money.
• There were plenty of Yellow Wagtails around with all three head hues evident - Blue-headed and Grey-headed completing the set.

courtesy of Marcus Nash

• On the saltwater marsh there were a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits.
• I also saw my first Common Sandpipers and Barnacle Geese of 2021

As we were heading back to the Visitor Centre for lunch, Marcus caught a glimpse of a Golden Oriole as it flew west into the wooded area on the south side of the A149.  Unfortunately none of us could get on to it and despite our best efforts we didn't get sight of this very rare visitor.  It had been tracked by the local birders as it hugged the coast on its way west.  We even took an extended lunch at Cley, on the flight path, hoping to see it as it left the cover of the trees and continued on its journey.  Never mind!

We finished the day at the North Point Reserve on the east side of Wells-next-the-Sea, a real gem of a place, often missed by birders.  

• It's a real hotspot for breeding Lapwings and Avocets and we enjoyed splendid views of this scenario.
• Most of the wetland bird species were present but the undoubted highlight was the sight of the Wood Sandpiper.  In fact we saw 3 in total and we were told later that there had been 4 there earlier.  The views were excellent in the afternoon sunshine.

courtesy of Marcus Nash

• 3 Common Sandpipers also showed well and added to the excitement.
• Best of all though was the very showy Jack Snipe on the edge of the island moving slowly between the vegetation.

courtesy of Marcus Nash

Another very fulfilling visit with lots of interesting birds to see.  As before, there were not many rarities around but there was a wealth of very interesting, regular visiting species.

Broadwater Warren for Dartford Warblers with Kevin

Thursday 6th May 2021

RSPB Broadwater Warren

with Kevin

As a follow up to the East Grinstead RSPB group visit to Broadwater Warren nearly 2 weeks ago I arranged to meet Kevin on site for an early morning search for Dartford Warblers.  Previously we were unlucky as none showed during our tour of the reserve. Weather conditions were ideal with bright sunshine and very little wind.

• Things got off to a quiet start but we persevered in the area where Kevin knew the warblers to be and after 30 minutes or so we got our reward when one flew from behind us into the scrub a few metres away before dropping out of sight.  
• Another 30 minutes passed before we saw any more but this time the views were for much longer and involved 2 Dartford Warblers - a male and a female - having fun as they flew by the path a few metres from us.
• Feeling rather proud of ourselves we then moved round the site taking in the regular birds - Yellowhammers being the pick of the bunch for me.  Alas, still no success with Tree Pipits.

Thanks Kevin - spot on!

Seawatching at Splash Point with The Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS).

Sunday 2nd May 2021

07.00 to 10.45

Splash Point, Seaford

It was down to the south coast this morning for a long-awaited seawatching event run by the SOS.  I was lucky to get a place in one of the two groups that were offered to members - the "rule of 6" still applies for now. 

• Martin was also in my group and I took time out before the start to show him the nesting colony of over 100 Kittiwakes on the cliff ledges at the foot of Seaford Head.

The weather was not conducive to bird movement with hardly any wind and what we had was offshore rather than onshore.  Nevertheless we seated ourselves on the beach, 2m apart, made ourselves comfortable and enjoyed the expert guidance of Simon.  Mark guided the second group.

• The undoubted highlight of the morning was the sight of several groups of Mediterranean Gulls flying overhead.  In all we recorded a huge total of 33, easily the best ever for me.

courtesy of Simon Linington and the Sussex Ornithological Society

• Whimbrel passage was also very evident and at least 14 were seen flying east of course.
• At least 250 Commic Terns could be seen on the horizon.
• The first species for my year list was, inevitably, Common Scoter with flocks passing through at regular intervals.
• 6 Little Gulls were a very pleasing sight as they flew by.
• My first Peregrine sighting of 2021 - a cracking close view as the bird moved west along the shoreline flying over our heads enroute.
• A winter-plumaged Red-throated Diver showed well slightly to the west of us.
• One of the local seawatching group took us on a short detour to see 2 Shags swimming and diving in the sea.
• The same group, viewing from a slightly more elevated position than us, alerted us to a distant Bonxie on the horizon.
• Other species seen included Shelduck, Sandwich Tern, Gannet, Fulmar, Oystercatcher and Brent Goose.  

Dog-walking responsibilities and the declining weather situation caused me to leave around 10.45.  It had been a most refreshing and productive experience.   

Thanks SOS!  

I will follow this up in the next 2 weeks.

w/e 1st May 2021 This week's highlights

Sunday 25th April 2021

Churlwood, Ashdown Forest

• Another morning survey of my patch.  No Dartford Warblers but Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Woodlark were notable species found.

Tuesday 27th April 2021

Weir Wood Reservoir

• No snakes at all this week but I did hear then see my first Garden Warbler of the year.

Friday 30th April 2021

Rottingdean near Brighton

• A  very easy twitch to see the Hoopoe on the outskirts of Rottingdean.  The lovely bird was just 30 metres away from our viewing point.  Martin managed several hundred images and sent me his best 2.

Saturday 1st May 2021

Uckfield 

I decided to stay local this morning so I wouldn't be late for the Brighton game on TV at 15.00.

• No new birds but a couple of lovely Yellowhammers, lots of Blackcaps and a great view of a Green Woodpecker in flight.