Looking for Eagles in Sussex

Wednesday 21st December 2022

Rackham Woods

4 of us from the Ashdown Bird Group met up at Rackham village, hoping to see a white-tailed eagle from the raptor viewing point nearby.  

Unfortunately we were not successful.  

• With the help of a friendly local lady walker, we located the so called "favourite tree" of the eagle and, initially, we got quite excited when we realised there was a large raptor perched in it only to discover it was a red kite! 

We spotted 23 species in total, as you would expect from such a fantastic viewing point, overlooking the brooks.

• There was at least one other kite around as well as a peregrine, a couple of kestrels, a buzzard and a raven.
• On the brooks, the standout species was black-tailed godwit.  There must have been well over a hundred.  Occasionally they would take to the air after being spooked by the raptors.
• Other notable species included pintail, teal, wigeon, lapwing and shoveler.

• Pick of the passerines was probably the lovely close goldcrest we came across on our way to the viewing point.

Martin put out a message on the Sussex WhatsApp site asking for news on the white-tailed eagles.  Word came back quickly that we should head to RSPB Pulborough Brooks where the birds had been seen regularly in recent days.  Without further ado, we were off to Pulborough.

RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Sussex

The two wardens who greeted us on the reserve were very helpful and suggested our best chance of seeing the eagles was from Whinpenny Hide.  2 birds had been seen on a number of occasions in the last couple of days, although they did not know of any sightings so far today.  On the way to the hide we passed a couple of birders who had seen 2 birds earlier but the views were not clear and quite distant.

We spent about 90 minutes or so at Whinpenny but had no luck with the eagles.  

• We did get excellent views of the water birds - this time it was the pintails that stole the show with well over 25 drakes on show.
• There was also a cracking kingfisher flying around and giving us excellent views.
• Other birds catching the eye included marsh harrier and snipe. 

Our last throw of the dice was to move around to the north brooks to look for the eagles there.  

• On the way we saw a couple of fieldfare and several redwing.

We never reached our destination however as a call came through that 2 white-tailed eagles had just been seen from Whinpenny Hide so we turned round and headed back as quickly as possible.

• Thankfully the birds were still there and perched near the top of a nearby tall tree.
• Almost immediately one took flight and headed off north but giving good views as it went.

• After a while the remaining bird took to the air as well and headed off in pursuit of the other.

By now the light was fading and we were ready for home but Ian persuaded us to try the next viewing point north as he thought the eagles had landed close by.  

• He was right - there in front of us were 2 white-tailed eagles feasting on some kind of carcass on the ground.  We then spent another 20 minutes or so taking in this fabulous sight.  A good day out had just become very special.

Thank goodness for the birders who put out the call this afternoon.  Inclusive birding at its best!

All pictures courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Year total = 216