23/01/2016 Dartford Warbler but no Shrike on Ashdown Forest

Saturday 23rd January 2016
Ashdown Forest

Went looking for the Shrike again today after 4 unsuccessful attempts this week.  My luck was still out but there was lots of compensation when I heard then saw a lovely Dartford Warbler.




Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Bird List
Dartford Warbler   124

• On Tuesday during my volunteer work at Weir Wood Reservoir, we started hedge laying, using Hazel wood  - can't wait to do more.

• On the garden feeders lately, as well as the usual tits and Goldfinch, we have had Siskins, Nuthatch, Coal Tit and even a female Bullfinch.

• Although the shrike is eluding me it has still proved beneficial and I have seen Redpolls, Siskins and Great Spotted Woodpecker etc.

18/01/2016 Smashing outing to Isle of Sheppey - Richard's Pipit, Shorelark, Merlin etc

Monday 18th January 2016
Isle of Sheppey
with Alastair

I planned this trip to Sheppey some time ago and when I met Alastair in the Ashdown Forest last week I invited him along.   This called for another early start (7am) on a bright, clear winter's day.
  

• It was not long before we saw the Richard's Pipit, one of our target birds, on the sea wall, not far from the car park.  We enjoyed excellent views for the next 20 minutes or so as we moved towards the bird hide.  

Richard's Pipit
Courtesy of Alastair Gray

• On the return leg we had a repeat performance. What a contrast to a week ago when I missed it due to the large number of people around.  The other major sighting was the 60+ White-fronted Geese seen from the hide.  Surprisingly we did not see the Hooded Crow.

• At lunchtime we transferred to Minster where we soon found the lovely Shorelark in the shingle opposite Barton's Point  (TQ 940749).  The bird was so close - less than 10 metres - and was totally unfazed by our presence.  Again we managed 20 to 30 minutes of pure bliss. 

Shorelark
Courtesy of Alastair Gray

• At Capel Fleet for the afternoon session, we missed out on Short-eared Owls but we were more than compensated by excellent views of a pair of Merlins throughout our stay as well as a couple of excellent views of the Ring-tailed Hen Harrier.  Other species seen included a Peregrine and several Buzzards.

A great day out and 9 year ticks to show for our efforts.

Additions to BUBO 2016 UK Bird List:
115   Richard's Pipit
116   Stonechat
117   Skylark
118   Shore lark
119   Hen Harrier
120   Merlin
121   Red-legged Partridge
122   Stock Dove
123   Snipe

16/01/2016 Back in the fold - at Dungeness

Saturday 16th January 2016
Dungeness
with Paul and Group

On a glorious sunny, but cold, January day, it was nice to join up with Paul and the group after several absences.

• At Scotney GP, en route to the reserve, Paul spotted some Egyptian Geese just to the west of us.  Between Lydd and the reserve Paul also alerted me to a Lesser Black-backed Gull - my first of the year.

• The star turn on the reserve had to be the long staying Long-eared Owl by the pond near the visitors centre.  Other notable species included Great White Egret, Smew, Goldeneye and Kingfisher.

• The Caspian Gull was still present near the fishing boats - this time I managed to observe it in flight as well as on the ground.

Caspian Gull
Courtesy of Julie and Malcolm Redford

• On the sea the Gannets were busy as were the Great-crested Grebes, Guillemots and the Cormorants.  A lone Red-throated Diver was a welcome sight as it flew east.

• Finally, we relocated to Pett level to twitch the Glossy Ibis.  At the end, Paul alerted us to a Barn Owl flying low over the levels to the north of us.

A lovely, full day out, connecting with friends.  60+ species seen .

Additions to BUBO 2016 UK Year List:
113   Egyptian Goose
114  Lesser Black-backed Gull



Today's species list (courtesy of Alan)

Barnacle Goose Black-headed Gull

Black-Tailed Godwit

Blue Tit

Brent Goose

Buzzard

Canada Goose

Carrion Crow

Cetti's Warbler    (heard)

Collared Dove

Common Gull

Coot

Cormorant

Curlew

Dunlin

Feral Pigeon

Fieldfare

Golden Plover

Goldfinch

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Crested Grebe

Great Tit

Grey Heron

Grey Plover

Greylag Goose

Herring Gull

Hooded Crow

House Sparrow

Kestrel

Lapwing

Little Egret

Little Grebe

Magpie

Mallard

Marsh Harrier

Meadow Pipit

Merlin

Mute Swan

Oyster Catcher

Pheasant

Pied Wagtail

Red-legged Partridge

Redshank

Reed Bunting

Ringed Plover

Rock Pipit

Sanderling

Shelduck

Shore Lark

Shoveler

Skylark

Snipe

Spotted Redshank    (heard)

Starling

Stock Dove

Teal

Turnstone

White-fronted Goose

Widgeon

Woodpigeon

Wren (63)

15/01/2016 Barn Owl in Ashdown Forest

Friday 15th January 2016
Ashdown Forest

Another late start, again at the Old Airstrip, looking for the Great Grey Shrike.  Unfortunately it was another "dip".   Alastair joined me and after a while we relocated to Mintons CP, near the visitors centre, where, after about 30 minutes, we saw the Barn Owl we had targeted.

There were plenty of Meadow Pipits and Fieldfares around.  Also seen were a couple of Mistle Thrushes and a Redwing.



Addition to BUBO UK 2016 Year List
112   Barn Owl

14/01/2016 Ashdown Forest

Thursday 14th January 2016
Ashdown Forest, West Sussex

I only had time for a quick outing at the end of the day so I went looking for the Great Grey Shrike in the Ashdown Forest.  Alas I had no luck again.  

I did manage to see 30+ Linnets, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Redwing.

At Buxted Park I had no luck with the Barn Owl.


Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Year List
111   Linnet 

13/01/2016 Warnham NR, Horsham with the Brighton and District Local RSPB Group

Wednesday 13th January 2016
Warnham NR, Horsham, West Sussex
Brighton & District RSPB Local Group

For our regular monthly mid-week outing, we enjoyed splendid weather - bright and sunny with clear skies.  

• Warnham is our local hotspot for Redpoll, Siskin and Reed Bunting in January and true to form they were all present today.

• Other woodland birds seen included a female Bullfinch, several Goldcrests, lots of Goldfinch, a Greenfinch, a flock of Long-tailed Tits and a couple of Tree Creepers. 

• The gulls included Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull and a few Great Black-backed Gulls.

I had to leave early but enjoyed myself tremendously.

Additions to BUBO 2016 UK Year List:
109   Lesser Redpoll
110   Bullfinch

12/01/2016 Common Gull at Weir Wood Reservoir

Tuesday 12th January 2016
Weir Wood Reservoir


During my voluntary conservation work at Weir Wood Reservoir today I was directed to a couple of Common Gulls on the water - my first sighting of this species this year.



Addition to BUBO 2016 UK Bird List:
108   Common Gull