Hawfinches at Heathfield

15/16 December 2021

Following last weekends successful Hawfinch sightings at West Dean Woods I was delighted to have the opportunity to look for them nearer home.  David Williams had agreed with Sussex supremo Mark Mallalieu to monitor a site at Heathfield - just 15 minutes away by car.  As instructed we arrived at the site early - around 12.30. 

• The first Hawfinch arrived about 13.50 and was quickly joined by others until we had a total of 10 happily occupying the upper branches of the hornbeam trees.  

                                 

courtesy of David Williams

• Around 14.30 they departed, so quickly that we both missed it.  
• Shortly afterwards I saw a single Hawfinch fly in and land on the top of an adjacent tree and it stayed there until 14.55 before dropping down into the lower branches and thicker foliage. 
• The supporting cast included a lovely Grey Wagtail enjoying the recently created pool in the field a few metres away from us, Siskins and  lots of Redwings.

Exciting times on my doorstep!

• Next day David and I returned just before 14.00  but this time too late to see the Hawfinches arrive.  They were in place and more were joining.  Again the final total was 10 birds.
• The birds were spooked by something and flew off around 14.25. Incredibly, a lone bird flew in like yesterday, stayed on the upper branches until 14.55 before dropping down the tree again at 14.55.

deja vu!