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

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

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

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