7th March 2024: Muddy Woods and Goshawk Hunting

 Richard Allan kindly took us to his old stomping grounds around the Crawley area for a morning out, in search of  Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Goshawk.

The woodland was decidedly wet and muddy, following extensive rain over recent weeks, but not unattractive. There was plenty of birch, favoured by these woodpeckers, and we managed to hear several bursts of drumming, once at close range, but sadly failed to locate any birds. The woods were pretty quiet, but nevertheless we managed to find a few typical woodland species for the time of year, with Nuthatch, Marsh Tit , Treecreeper and Redpoll all new ticks for my annual list. A beautiful male Bullfinch wowed us with his brilliant orange-red chest and solid black cap as he chuntered softly on a nearby branch. 

Scarlet Elf Cap

Green Elf Cap

With Richard a keen naturalist it was not all about the birds, and he was rather excited to spot these colourful fungi, especially the fruiting green Elf Cap, which  commonly stains wood green, but is not often found with the 'mushroom' fruit on show.

Next we headed to another woodland track, with a boardwalk across a wetland where many dead trees offered brilliant habitat for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Unfortunately, there were none apparent today. A Greenfinch sang from a tree by the path and there were several Redwing in the adjacent fields and trees.

Treecreeper

We continued on our way, to a road beside some agricultural fields with a backdrop of dense forest, ideal for Goshawks. We had stonking views of these a few years ago, and although not quite so obliging this time round, we nevertheless had some decent views of three birds, soaring above the treeline,  revealing distinctive whiteish underparts as they circled round.

Unfortunately I failed to get my bins onto a solitary bird that landed on a puddle nearby, which Sue initially called as a Grey Wagtail, based on its colouration, but on closer inspection turned out to be a female Crossbill come down for a drink. It quickly flew off as I put my bins up, and despite hanging around for some time it failed to reappear. Too fleeting for a confirmed tick, it was frustratingly one that got away!