Redstart at Old Lodge, Sussex

Good Friday, 18th April 2025

Old Lodge NR

09.00 to 13.00

Ashdown Bird Group

(17 members present)

Trip Report

This, the latest of our Friday morning outings, attracted the biggest following so far, most likely due to the fine sunny weather and the fact that it was Good Friday.  

Expectations were high for Redstart, Cuckoo, Woodlark, Willow Warbler, and Dartford Warbler, our target species.

Map

From the car park, we headed NW and followed the looped path in an anti-clockwise direction.

Redstart

Last year, we saw Redstarts at numerous places along the route.  Today, we had to work much harder to get a good sighting.  

• We had no luck on the eastern and northern edges of the reserve, and it was not until we reached the log pile at the southern edge that we got the sighting we craved.  

• When we arrived, several birders were already in place, so the chances of seeing the Redstart on the log pile were slender. It was spotted high in the canopy of an adjacent tree. It was flitting around, but finally, it reached an open area where our photographers could get a good shot of it - it was a cracking male!

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• Alison took this picture half an hour before the formal walk started!

Courtesy of Alison Playle

Cuckoo

Old Lodge is a favoured site for the Cuckoo - we see one here year after year.  

• One was present this morning, being heard regularly, but always from afar.  Try as we may, we were unable to get a sighting.  

• Alison broke away from the main group for a while and went in pursuit.  She managed a brief sighting before rejoining us at the log pile.  

• Ian went one better.  At the end of the walk, as everyone headed home, he returned to the site, eventually finding one in a Larch tree in the valley near the bridge. Look carefully at the image below and you will be able to see the cuckoo.  A valuable record shot Ian - well done!

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Woodlark

Finding or hearing the Woodlark was no problem. 

• One sang away in the sky above us as we entered the southern aspect of the loop. 

• A little way further along the path, it was even closer and within range of our cameras.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• Phil got an entirely different take on it!

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Willow Warbler

Willow Warblers were the most ubiquitous bird on our target list and we heard and saw them regularly.

Dartford Warbler

This was the only bird on our wanted list that we failed to see or hear. They were undoubtedly present, but our luck was out.

Miscellaneous

·                           Bob Stokes took a picture of this lovely Whitethroat, before we started, as he walked towards the car park.

Courtesy of Bob Stokes

• Alison managed to photograph this stunning Siskin.

Courtesy of Alison Playle

• Phil joined in the act with this shot of a cracking Stonechat.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• This lovely Wren caught Alison's eye.

Courtesy of Alison Playle

• This pair of Stock Doves also proved very photogenic. 

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Look carefully and you will recognise this Buzzard!

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Gem found this lovely Wood Sorrel

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• Alison drew our attention to this Small Bloody-nosed Beetle!

Courtesy of Alison Playle

This was another first-class outing with lots of good birding and some excellent company.  Well done everyone! 

Thanks to John and Martin for organising this event.

 

 

 

 

In total, we saw a very respectable 33 bird species, quite normal for the Ashdown Forest.

2025 species count = 150

New Species:

149  Redstart

150  Cuckoo