Cirl Bunting Outing with The Ashdown Bird Group

 

Friday 11th July 2025

near Mile Oak Farm, West Sussex

Ashdown Bird Group

09.30 to 12.30

(6 members present)

Trip Report

Despite the heatwave, we were keen to visit this site to see this truly exceptional bird.  Martin and I saw the Cirl Bunting here in April.  John and Ian had seen them in Europe but never in the UK.  Patrick had never seen one.  Cirl Bunting sightings in the UK tend to be local to sites in Devon and Cornwall, but are very rare elsewhere, including here in Sussex. 

We joined Sue M at the viewing point where she was already tracking the bird in preparation for our visit.  Welcome to our group, Sue!

• As we approached the viewing area, John could hear the bird singing away in the distance.  Sue then pointed out where she had seen the bird a few minutes earlier.  John soon spotted it, singing from the top of a tree, left of the track, some 100+ metres away from the gate where we were standing. 

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

For the next two hours or so, we were captivated by this bird, and our team of photographers were kept busy generating the quality images that you see below.

• This was the bird's favourite place this morning, to which it kept returning throughout our stay. 

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• It was forever bursting into song, presumably in the forlorn hope of attracting a mate. In doing so, it always raised its head to point skywards as shown in Patrick's photograph.  The tail was also seen to resonate at pace as the bird sang.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• There was a convenient public right-of-way nearby, enabling our photographers to get closer without disturbing the bird. At times, the bird also came closer, allowing our photographers to capture the images they wanted.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• We weren't the only birders there today; two others turned up shortly after us.  Both were very friendly and cooperative.  

• Then a large group of students from the local secondary school came by, accompanied by their teachers.  They were on an end-of-term outing on the South Downs.  After they expressed an interest in why we were there and what we were doing, they accepted our invitation to view the Cirl Bunting in two of our telescopes.  It was very refreshing to witness such a large group of youngsters enjoying the experience and showing a genuine interest in our activity

Our next generation of birders - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

We saw 26 bird species today; obviously, the Cirl Bunting took centre stage, but some of the other species seen are shown below.

Yellowhammer - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

.  

Red Kite - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Buzzard - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Whitethroat - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Carrion Crows - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• Most of us couldn't believe how quickly the time had passed and how much fun we had.  
• Thanks again, Martin and John, for organising another first-class event.  
• A special thank you to our photographers for toiling away in the sweltering heat.
• Sue M, you were terrific, preparing the way for us and also for addressing the students about what they had seen and why it was so special.

Species List

Species count = 26