Just Fledged: May 2025

Saturday, 31 May 2025

Red-backed Shrike near Old Lodge

Saturday 31st May 2025

Ashdown Forest, Sussex

I made a belated attempt to twitch the Red-backed Shrike that was reported by Phil and Jem earlier today, after family commitments took us to Brighton for lunch. With help from Colin, who was just leaving as I arrived, and Andrew A, a Kent birder who had brought his telescope and joined me as we headed out to look for the bird, I was finally able to make the twitch.

The shrike had left Old Lodge and moved down into the adjacent valley, as Colin had said. Unfortunately, it had moved even further away and we found ourselves hemmed in by fences, some 50 metres short of the viewing point.

Thankfully, Andrew found a vantage point and used his scope to scan the area and he soon spotted the shrike sitting proudly near the top of some bushes. We were able to get good views and followed the bird as it moved around the area. Sadly, a family of six came by and disturbed the bird, causing it to move away and become lost to our view.
I have included a couple of photographs Martin took at lunchtime, while I was in Brighton.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

One of the luckiest sightings I have ever made! Thanks, Colin and Andrew.

2025 species count = 179

New Species:

179 Red-backed Shrike

Ashdown Bird Group Outing to Old Lodge - Spotted Flycatchers and Tree Pipits!

Friday 30th May 2025

Old Lodge Nature Reserve, Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Ashdown Bird Group

09.00 to 12.30

(6 members present)

Trip Report

We were hoping to see Tree Pipits and possibly Spotted Flycatchers this morning, as well as the staples: Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, Cuckoo, and Redstart.

The expected fine weather didn't arrive until late morning and we started in overcast and chilly conditions.

We took the usual anticlockwise route but cut it short to follow a lead from Alastair's based on his experience on a recent visit.

We got off to a quiet start.

The most significant early sighting was probably this Stonechat.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Things livened up after we descended the hill from the seat by the fir trees, where some bird activity in the low bushes caught our attention. As it was close to the dead tree where we had Spotted Flycatchers two years ago, our hopes were raised that they had returned.

This turned out to be the case. After some careful searching, two Spotted Flycatchers were identified, this time much higher in the trees behind the dead tree.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Not long afterwards, it was Redstarts that grabbed our attention.

Just as we were complaining about their lack of activity, a Redstart was seen on the ground ahead of us. It then moved into the trees adjacent to the path and continued to return to the area. Obviously, we were close to its nest! As we moved away, Martin took these fabulous images.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

The group became separated for a short time after the excitement of the Redstarts and those at the front, who had crossed the stream to ascend the hill on the other side, missed the sighting of a Tree Pipit.

One was heard in the valley on the south side of the stream, and after a while, Martin, Ian and Alastair spotted it at the top of a distant fir tree.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

This could have been a disastrous miss for Mark, Patrick and me, but Alastair came to our rescue and led us to another site where he had recently seen one. Halfway up the hill on the northern side of the stream, we took the forest path through to the log-pile.

Just before we reached the log pile, Alastair showed us the tall bush where he had seen the Tree Pipit a few days ago. Within minutes, one flew in and landed at the top of the tree! Phew!

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

On the final leg of our journey, we were searching for the Dartford Warbler and Woodlark. Alas, we were unsuccessful. Thankfully, we spotted some admirable substitutes.

We found more Redstarts and these cracking Siskins.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

This lovely Coal Tit was one of the last birds we recorded.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

This was right up there with the best of our Friday outings. We were challenged at times by the Spotted Flycatchers and the Tree Pipits but the group responded very well and came up with the goods. Well done, everyone.

Thanks once again, Martin!

Species List

Species	Count
Blackbird (Turdus merula)	1
Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)	2
Buzzard (Buteo buteo)	3
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)	4
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)	5
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)	6
Coal Tit (Periparus ater)	7
Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)	8
Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)	9
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)	10
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)	11
Great Tit (Parus major)	12
Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)	13
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)	14
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)	15
Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)	16
Magpie (Pica pica)	17
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)	18
Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)	19
Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)	20
Siskin (Spinus spinus)	21
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)	22
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)	23
Stock Dove (Columba oenas)	24
Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)	25
Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)	26
Whitethroat (Curruca communis)	27
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)	28
Woodlark (Lullula arborea)	29
Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)	30
Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)	31

Species count = 31

2025 species count = 178

New Species:

177 Spotted Flycatcher

178 Tree Pipit

Starting Nightjar Walks 2025

Thursday 29th May 2025

Old Airstrip, Ashdown Forest

Kevin and I carried out a recce of the Old Airstrip in preparation for the upcoming East Grinstead RSPB Nightjar walks. It was a cold, overcast evening - not the best conditions for Nightjars.

There have been sweeping changes since the last walk in 2024. Lots of the vegetation has been cut back or removed.

We needn't have worried as bang on time - 15 minutes after sunset - a lovely Nightjar flew in low to the usual display area and gave us several excellent views.

Friday 30th May 2025

Hindleap, Ashdown Forest

Ian and I did a similar recce of Hindleap tonight in much better weather - sunshine, decent lighting and lots of midges!

Again, 15 minutes after sunset, two Nightjars flew down the slopes towards us at Brian and Jane's seat, giving us superb views.

After several repeat performances, we heard another one "churring" in the distance and before long, we caught sight of it.

After a while, we ascended the hill to the second viewpoint, where we saw another two Nightjars flying together.

No need to worry about the upcoming walks, Kevin - the Nightjars are well and truly back at both venues!

2025 species count = 176

New Species:

176 Nightjar

Saturday, 24 May 2025

ABG Raptor Watch

Friday 23rd May 2025

Raptor Viewing Point behind the old Llama Park, Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Ashdown Bird Group

09.30 to 12.30

(8 members present)

Trip Report

We parked at Long CP before crossing the A22 to take the public footpath to the viewing point at TQ.428.314.

The weather was good for the Raptors, with sunshine, clouds, and a significant breeze.

This was our first attempt this year to see Honey Buzzards. Alastair had reported sightings regularly since they arrived on 10th May, so hopes were very high.

David, a local birder from Haywards Heath, was already there when we arrived, and he had already seen a Honey Buzzard and a Goshawk.

Around 10.20 hr we had our first sighting - a distant Honey Buzzard, gliding on flat wings!
Half an hour later, we had a second sighting, with wing clapping to confirm the ID. Alas, the bird was out of range of our cameras.

Simon joined us, and we benefited from his vast knowledge and expertise from then on. The sightings became more frequent, and thankfully, some of them were closer.

At one point, we could see two Honey Buzzards in the same telescope view.

Just before we left, two Hobbies attempted to attack a Honey Buzzard.

Here are Martin's photographs-

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Here are Patrick's photographs:-

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Another successful Friday outing - thanks, Martin and Ian!

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Species List:

Species count = 17

2025 species count = 175

New Species:

175 Honey Buzzard

Thursday, 22 May 2025

Stodmarsh NNR with the Ashdown Bird Group - Red-footed Falcon again!

Sunday 18^th May 2025

Stodmarsh NNR, Kent

Ashdown Bird Group

(11 members present)

Trip Report

This was an excellent turnout for our longest day trip of the year. When we arrived, it was dry and rather chilly, but the sun eventually came out!

We took our usual, clockwise route, calling in at the Reedbed Hide, Tower Hide and stopping for lunch at the Viewpoint before returning to the car park via Feast’s Hide and Marsh Hide.

We recorded a very impressive 70 bird species. Today's headlines were made by a stellar visiting bird and a fantastic support cast.

Support Cast

We could hear booming Bitterns from the outset, and this continued for the duration of our stay. To top it all off, one gave superb views as it flew north over the reeds to the right of the Reedbed Hide.

Courtesy of Alison Playle

Swifts put on a tremendous show today. They flew high above us in their scores, providing a vibrant aerial setting, in sharp contrast to the situation back in Sussex, where numbers to date have been disappointing.

Courtesy of Alison Playle

Hobbies are a staple summer visitors here at Stodmarsh, and today, they again graced us with their presence. They were somewhat distant at first, but we got closer and better views as the day progressed.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Cuckoos sounded off throughout our stay and gave good, if brief, views at regular intervals.

There was no such problem with the Marsh Harriers, which were all too willing to display their charms.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Beavers are a feature at Stodmarsh. Obviously, we didn't see any during our stay but there was plenty of evidence of their presence, as shown in Martin's photograph below.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

We heard and saw several Reed Warblers and the more photogenic Sedge Warblers, particularly from the path between the Reedbed Hide and the Tower Hide.

Sedge Warbler - courtesy of Alison Playle

Red-footed Falcon

A Red-footed Falcon was reported here at Stodmarsh a couple of days ago and we were hoping it would stay around for our visit. Thankfully, it did, and boy, did we get a treat!

As we walked between the Reedbed Hide and the Tower Hide, Ian spotted the falcon flying over the trees from where we had just come. This seemed to be our first sighting of the bird - but was it? John had earlier called a Kestrel sighting at the Reedbed Hide but was puzzled by some unusual colouration. On reflection, he now thought it was this Red-footed Falcon.

There was no need to worry because, at lunchtime, the bird gave us prolonged views from the Viewpoint as it moved around a distant tree with a group of Hobbies. Everyone had ample time to view the scene and spot the obvious lighter coloured bird among the darker coloured Hobbies and there was no confusion about the ID.

Despite the long distance, Phil got this lovely record shot.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

For most of us, this was the second Red-footed Falcon sighting of the week, as another was seen at Weir Wood Reservoir in Sussex. How lucky can one get?

Other Bird Sightings of Interest

This drake Garganey was the latest bird to be reported here. It was one of a pair seen from Marsh Hide near the end of our visit.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

This Greenshank was also seen from Marsh Hide

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

On the was to Marsh Hide, Sue spotted a Cattle Egret associating with the cows in the distance. Later on, as we headed back to the car park, Alison spotted another flying across the fields.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Cetti's Warblers were blasting out their call all over the reserve, and unusually, today they decided to show themselves. We saw at least four today. They were very brief appearances but Phil was quick off the mark to snap this beauty.