Window to Wildlife

 We popped across to Pulborough this afternoon with reports of a Nightjar perched in a tree in broad daylight, a photographic opportunity not to be missed for Tim! The bird was easily spotted, perched on a low branch near Fattengates courtyard, and much closer than I had expected. Through the scope, I was able to see it ‘yawn’ revealing a bright red mouth, and its mottled colouration showed really well. Several times we observed it wriggle a bit, swaying from side to side on the branch, and occasionally preening. It opened its eyes to observe a bumble bee that wandered close, but was unfazed and quickly closed them again. It was a cracking bird! Nightjar We continued around the reserve, and at Westmead Hide we observed a White-tailed Eagle fly over and land it one of its favourite trees across the river. Amongst the cattle, a couple of Cattle Egrets were evident and in the scrub we found Stonechat, Goldfinch, Wren, Chiffchaff  and Blue Tit. On north brooks, good numbers of Lap...

 It was a pleasant afternoon and we drove to Truleigh car park to walk ‘the triangle’, following the Monarch’s Way past ‘Red-foot’ valley,  then following the track up to Truleigh Hill. There was a lack of migrants on the Monarch’s Way, although a Wheatear was perched on a brick building, and three Corn Buntings foraged at the the field margins, occasionally alighting on the fenceline. In the dip of the valley, we encountered around six Stonechats, which moved constantly ahead of us as we progressed along the footpath.  There was a constant stream of hirundines, mainly Swallows,  but a single Sand Martin and a couple of House Martins were seen too. Several Buzzards, Kestrel, Red Kite and a Sparrowhawk were all seen over the fields too. As we approached the barn, I spotted a splendid Yellow Wagtail on the roof. We had scanned the feet of cattle with no success, so it was great to finally find one, our 200th bird of the year. A less bright bird, presumably a female, wa...

 I was away in Shropshire when news of an Osprey on the River Adur came through, and I was desperately hoping it would hang on until I returned to Sussex. Fortunately, it was suitably accommodating and today I managed to escape out to the river, and what a great afternoon we had! As we arrived at the old tollbridge, we thought we could make out a potential bird around the old cement works chimney. The jizz wasn’t right for Buzzard and I thought I could make out white underparts as it turned in the sky. The bird gradually moved closer, and morphed into a definite Osprey! I knew lots of people along the river were looking for this magnificent bird, so quickly got a message out on social media…and in the process missed the bird fly beyond us to fish upriver! Fortunately a cloud of noisy gulls taking to the air helped us relocate it, fishing near the railway bridge, and we were able to watch it for several minutes before it drifted off towards Mill Hill. A fellow Sdos member arrived by...