Window to Wildlife

 We spent the morning at Holkham Hall, starting with distant views of a Great White Egret and a flock of White-fronted Geese viewed from a lay-by as we approached the area. From St Anne’s Drive, where we parked the car, there were plenty of Wigeon and Lapwing, but no Snipe or waders such as we have seen in previous years.  We set off to Holkham Gap with our first target the Shore Lark. These had been seen on the east side of the salt marsh but had flown shortly before we arrived and their current location was unclear. We eventually spotted them in the midst of the vegetation, but by the time I’d got my scope up they had disappeared again! We trekked across the marshy path behind the dunes scanning the area, and flushing some Redshank and a Little Egret, but could not relocate the Shore Larks, although Skylarks were plentiful. As we walked across the stream which cuts through the middle of the Gap, a birder walked towards and told us he had seen them at the left side of the sal...

 Another annual pilgrimage, to Norfolk with Sue Miles, our eighth year of visiting the county at this time of the year, having an enforced gap in 2021 due to Covid restrictions. We met Sue at Welney WWT car park, where a scan of the bushes revealed both House and Tree Sparrows. Once upon a time we would find our Tree Sparrows in Kent, but not anymore, although apparently a few birds still hang on in the area. So a short pause en route to the coast has been added to our itinerary in recent years. We did not go into the reserve, but as we drove along the lane we spotted a Cattle Egret in flight, and continuing along through the countryside we found a flock of resting Whooper Swans enabling good scope views. Whooper Swans We had an early lunch at the Lavender Tea Rooms then drove along the rural lanes across to Thornham, hoping to pick up some farmland birds. Unfortunately we didn’t find many! However, we did locate a group of Fieldfare and Redwings in a horse paddock and some Red-leg...

 Our last day in the Kent and East Sussex area started with another attempted seawatch at Dungeness Point. We had slightly better views of Red-throated divers in flight and passing auks, but overall this was another disappointment in comparison with previous years. Before long we gave up and set off for Rye Harbour. Our target bird was Slavonian Grebe which we had failed to locate on Tuesday. It was a long walk to Long Pit where the birds had been reported by the Harbour barns.  Nothing was visible here, so following a tip off from another birder, we trudged along to the very bottom of the lake where it was possible to look all the way up the water, with no vegetation to interrupt our views. It wasn’t long till we spotted two small black and white grebes ducking and diving on the far side of the lake. Success at last! We returned to the cafe for tea and cake, picking up a pair  of Mistle Thrush hopping on the lawn as we returned to the car. Our next destination required a...

 It was good to be joined by Andy and John for a spot of birthday birdwatching around the Dungeness area, on a cold but dry day. We had arranged to meet at the ARC hide. Tim and I arrived first, and set off down the track towards the hide. We failed to get a decent view of  a Water Rail which I flushed out of view with an ill-timed sneeze! A single Goldcrest was more obliging, and Tim managed to get a shot of this tiny bird as it fed amongst the brambles. Goldcrest  A lot of work has been done to improve the hide and surrounding area, making it much more open. We walked slowly along the boardwalk through wet woodland carr, encountering numerous Goldcrest and Wren, foraging amongst the low lying deadwood and brambles. Robins, Blue Tits and Dunnock were also present, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker which undulated away from us was my first for the year. Andy and John arrived just as we got back to the hide, and together we scanned the lake and adjacent reedbeds and scrub. Th...

 A rather gloomy day was not ideal for birdwatching but at least it was dry. Pett level initially looked a bit birdless, but as we progressed towards Winchelsea the numbers increased and we observed many birds flying in from the beach area. One of the first birds we saw was a magnificent Great White Egret standing with head held high gazing across the marsh. The usual wildfowl species were spread across the pools, including Pochard, Shoveler and Gadwall as well as the typical Wigeon and Teal regularly seen at coastal locations. A Marsh Harrier flew over several times and as we scanned with our scopes we suddenly spotted a pair of Red-breasted Geese stood on rocks at the edge of one of the pools. These are probably of dubious origin, but nevertheless they are beautiful birds to find. Around the fields we noted Lapwing, Curlew and Redshank alongside a substantial Coot flock. Turning to the shore, the tide was coming in fast and there was little mud exposed, so mainly gulls and Oyster...

With another dry day after so much rain in recent weeks,  we decided to make the most of another birdwatching opportunity. We wrapped up warm and set off for West Rise Marsh with Sue Miles. Sadly there was no sign of any Penduline Tits which have been reported there in recent weeks, but alongside the regular assortment of ducks and gulls, we found our first Meadow Pipits of the year and both Pied and Grey Wagtails foraging on the exposed grassy areas. Water levels continue to be very high across the region- we have observed extensive flooding and waterlogged fields throughout our birdwatching travels this month. Even with wellies on much of the marsh proved impassable. The sun was shining, enhancing the colours of the wildfowl and the open country scene felt spiritually uplifting. A couple of Snipe zigzagged over and landed on the edge of the reedbed before disappearing from view, but there was little else to be found.  Having surveyed the scene with ...

Today we visited several locations with some SDOS friends across the  Sussex  downs, beginning with a local walk. Although it was extremely cold, the  beautiful winter sunshine made for perfect viewing conditions. First up, a very obliging Raven sat in a nearby tree giving stunning close views. Continuing along the track a flock of eight Corn Buntings gave decent scope views as they flitted along the shrubline ahead of us. We noted several loose flocks of Skylarks feeding in the stubble, plus eight or so Red legged Partridge and small flocks of Stock Doves in the surrounding fields. Several Red Kite and Common Buzzard soared across the landscape and some of the group noted a pair of Reed Buntings, although I missed these having asked on ahead chatting! Unfortunately our walk was cut short by the commencement of a game shooting party, leading to most birds departing the area! We relocated to The Burgh after lunch and walked from Canada Barn towards the ...

 Today we travelled across the border to windy Hampshire in search of a Sabine’s Gull which had been reported last week. This would be a lifetime tick, so I managed to persuade Tim to drive across to Langstone Harbour. When we arrived it did not take us long to locate the bird - we followed a constant stream of birdwatchers along the sea wall, in the direction of a lagoon at Southmoor nature reserve, near Budd’s Farm sewage works. Our target bird was sat on its own, right out in the open on a small island within the lagoon. I had not expected it to be that easy! Another surprise was to discover it was sporting pretty much summer plumage, just missing the red eye ring of full breeding plumage. It had a charcoal hood, with distinct black outline, and a yellow-tipped bill making it easy to identify. It sat on the muddy bank for some time, then suddenly took off, revealing its distinctive wing patterning, again unlike any of the other gulls. It disappeared over the trees, but in just a...

 Andy, John, Jen and Tim all met up for the first family bird outing of the year. Andy’s car was booked in at a garage in Basildon, so we decided to make this area a base for our activities instead of our regular Abberton and Fingringhoe haunts. We started at Bower’s Marsh, in unexpectedly cold and windy conditions. The regular ensemble of winter ducks were present, with a Pintail especially admired by John, who has not regularly seen this beautiful bird to fully appreciate its clean markings. Pintail (not taken today) Alongside the ducks, Lapwings and Shelduck were plentiful, and distant Greylag and Canada Geese were grazing on the fields. Unfortunately we were unaware that White-fronted and Barnacle Geese had been reported the previous day, otherwise we might have bothered to get the scopes off our backs to scan though these flocks, but the cold conditions did not encourage speculative searching! A few Linnets and Goldfinches buzzed around the reserve but there was little else of...

 A quick walk for exercise this morning down to Shoreham Harbour via the boardwalk on the beach. It was generally very quiet, with almost no activity on the sea, no Purple Sandpiper and a few of the usual Turnstones showing well on the shingle and harbour arm. As we strolled back along the boardwalk a small movement caught our eye, and it turned out to be a female- type Black Redstart. Although not common locally, there had not been any recent reports so this was an unexpected bonus for our keeping fit efforts!

 Today we crossed the border into Hampshire to visit Hayling Island, an area we have not birded before. We were lured by reports of Velvet Scoters on the sea at Langstone Harbour and although these failed to show for us, we very much enjoyed our day and plan to visit again in the future. We were very lucky to be able to persuade Bernie, our local bird expert, to accompany us as he was familiar with the area. The weather was overcast and rather windy, making viewing over the sea somewhat tricky, and it became clear that is a site more suitable for calmer weather, when the water would be less choppy. We started off with a short wind-assisted walk from the car park to the oyster beds, noting three Rock Pipits fly in to forage amongst the seaweed at the water’s edge. As we turned the corner to the beds it became significantly less windy, and we were able to hold the scopes still to scan the area. The tide was high and there were just a few remnants of exposed marsh and rocks which were...

 Another dry day, so we thought we’d make the most of it with another day out with Sue Miles. We again repeated an enjoyable early January outing from last year, and arranged to meet at Swanbourne Lake in Arundel at 8.30AM. On the lake were typical freshwater ducks, amongst them Pochard and Gadwall, both new additions to the year list. Several cotton puff Little Grebes bobbed and dived repeatedly and there were plenty of Moorhen and  Coot adding to the melee. Good numbers of gulls were also present, including our first Common Gull for the year. At the far end of the lake we searched for our target species of Mandarin Duck. These were not massively co-operative, skulking in the dark branches overhanging the lakeside, but we eventually managed reasonable views as they crossed a patch of sunlit water.  In the distance we spotted the rufous back of a resting Kestrel, and amongst the nearby ivy clad trees we found a Firecrest which flitted high above our heads making viewing d...

 Another year, another list, and what better way to start than with our traditional visit to Pulborough with Sue Miles. We arrived at 8 o’clock and were immediately struck by how much water there was on the brooks, following the recent extensive rains. We began the walk down through the reserve, noting many common species along the way, including Jay and Green Woodpecker, which yaffled away from the grassland into the trees as we approached. An overhead Red Kite was noteworthy, and we reflected on the increasing abundance of this species in the local area. No need to travel on the M40 to find this bird anymore!  Pausing at Fattengates courtyard, there were plentiful birds, including a Song Thrush singing evocatively, and a lovely Nuthatch adding a splash of joyful colour, alongside tits, finches, Dunnock and Blackbird. On our arrival at Westmead hide, the vast expanse of water stretching across the brooks was teeming with wildfowl. Despite, or maybe because of, the low morning...