Another Raptor Watch - Honey Buzzard and Firecrest

Friday 4th July 2025

Bunker's Hill,  Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Ashdown Bird Group

09.30 to 12.30

(8 members present)

Trip Report

Angela B joined us for the first time today.  It was good to see Alan N and John S again.  Such a good turnout deserved a good experience, and that was certainly the case!  

The recent period of warm weather continued.  With plenty of sunshine, we needed to shelter in the shade of the tall gorse bushes at the edge of the footpath nearby.

We met at St John's car park and walked round the back of the Horder Centre to pick up the path out onto  Bunker's Hill.

Honey Buzzard was once again our target species.  We also hoped to see Goshawks.

• The early action featured corvids, and the Ravens, in particular, caught the eye.

• Around 10.00, we got our best view of a Honey Buzzard.  It drifted in from the north and gradually ascended to a good height before flying away.  

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• That was the best we could do today.  There were glimpses of another Honey Buzzard, but it did not stay around long enough for us to be certain of the ID.

• There were numerous Common Buzzards on view.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• This one, flying on straight wings, could have been mistaken for a Honey Buzzard, but further observation showed it to be a Common Buzzard.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• Other raptors seen included a Kestrel and a brief view of a Sparrowhawk.  Sadly, no Goshawks were seen.

• Alan spotted a flock of 10 Crossbills flying overhead as we walked out to the viewing area.  There were a good number of Linnets flying around as you would expect in this area.

There was some very lively activity in St John's car park at the start and at the end of our visit.  

• Alan picked up the sound of a Firecrest in the tall trees at the entrance to the car park just before 09.30.  John E also heard the bird when he arrived around 10.30.  With this in mind, we allocated some time at the end of our visit to see if we could spot one.  The Firecrest duly obliged and gave some superb views.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• We also saw at least two Treecreepers while tracking the Firecrest.

• Martin also managed to get this cracking view of a Chiffchaff.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Around 12.30, we decided to call it a day, with everyone more than happy with the morning's sightings and comfortable in the knowledge that we would get at least one more chance to see Honey Buzzards in the autumn as they gather before migration back to Africa.

Thanks, John and Martin, for yet another successful Friday morning experience!

 

Species List

Species	Count		Species	Count
Blackbird	1		Kestrel	14
Blackcap	2		Linnet	15
Blue Tit	3		Magpie	16
Buzzard	4		Nuthatch	17
Carrion Crow	5		Raven	18
Chaffinch	6		Robin	19
Chiffchaff	7		Siskin	20
Common Crossbill	8		Song Thrush	21
Firecrest	9		Sparrowhawk	22
Garden Warbler	10		Swallow	23
Goldfinch	11		Swift	24
Honey-buzzard	12		Treecreeper	25
Jay	13		Wren	26

Species Count = 26

2025 species count = 182

New Species:

182  Firecrest