Window to Wildlife

We were up and out before light, for a pre-breakfast safari ride around the lodge grounds, setting off along some open tracks before reaching a more wooded area. In the semi darkness a Savannah Hawk flew over, and a Great Potoo was found lurking cryptically against a branch, barely visible to the uninformed eye. In a tall tree we found a pair of Orange-winged Parrots with yellow faces, and both Toco Toucan and Crested Oropendula flew past. A Bat Falcon pair close to the track were a great find, giving decent views despite the poor Iight, and in a nearby dead tree a Black crowned Tityra perched high at the top. Buff-necked Ibis passed overhead, sounding like geese as they called noisily to each other. Then we found a group of four Chestnut Guans - according to our guide, the presence of this species being a healthy bio indicator. White-throated Piping Guan and Capuchin monkeys were also seen in the trees here and a lone Cocoi Heron roosting high in a bush. On the ground we encountered W...

We started with a whimper, our first bird out of the airport being a feral pigeon! However, things quickly picked up, with a Great Kiskadee and a Chalk-browed Mockingbird both posing on a lamppost as our suitcases were put in black sacks, in preparation for the dusty panteneria highway ahead. Having arrived early in the morning, we went straight to the Amazon Hotel for breakfast. Unexpectedly, a Cattle Tyrant was sat on a wire outside the hotel, which seemed rather strange for such an urban environment. After eating, several of us gathered behind the hotel, where after some debate we called the circling swifts as Neotropical (or Fork-tailed) Swifts, then we also found and identified Grey-breasted Martins soaring over the hotel rooftop. Moving along the path we enjoyed a flurry of activity, when a pair of Short-crested Flycatchers flew into a leafy acacia, a Rufous- bellied Thrush hopped along the ground and a Southern Rough-winged Swallow flew over. A Peach-fronted Parakeet, House Spar...

 We had a pleasant day walking in this beautiful valley. Pausing initially by a bridge over a small burn, we were surprised to find a displaying Lapwing in the adjacent field. Then, just beyond the bridge, we heard the unmistakeable call of the Oystercatcher, and spotted a pair of birds on the grassy slope beside a farm track. We joked it felt like being back in Shoreham, where we regularly see both these species around the estuary during the winter months, with several Oystercatchers now breeding locally on flat roofs, and therefore present throughout the year. Beside the stream, a flock of Long-tailed Tits were our first of the trip, and an overhead cronking alerted us to a Raven, its wedge shaped tail clearly evident as it passed by. After parking the car we set off along the main track that passes through the valley. A short detour up to the moorland and a scan of the heather failed to produce any Red Grouse where we had seen them previously, a Pheasant being the best we could ...

 We took a longer walk today starting at Low Newton, where there were plenty of House Martins nesting in the eaves and soaring about the coast path. There wasn’t much activity at the Low Newton scrape, but some baby Avocets were entertaining as they swished their bills, whilst the adults aggressively chased off anything that came too close. We popped into the hide and scanned the pool, but there was nothing new here. Along the scrub lined coast path we found numerous Reed Buntings and Stonechats, together with Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Sedge Warblers and a Yellowhammer, all singing loudly to draw attention to their presence.  Linnet Descending from the dunes to the beach we noted just a few Oystercatchers and some passing Sandwich Terns. Soon we reached Dunstanburgh Castle where we sat to eat our lunch beneath the cliff, watching the Kittiwake colony with birds circling and calling. Some Razorbills intermittently darted out from their cliff ledges to the sea, wings flapping furi...

 With a dire forecast for the day there was no incentive to rush off this morning, so we spent some time relaxing over breakfast, and sheltering from the heavy rain. Then I noticed a Spotted Flycatcher resting on the metal railing in the back garden. Sue had seen one in exactly the same spot two years ago, so she was delighted to see it back. Moments later a Grey Wagtail appeared (the rail runs alongside a mill leat with lush vegetation and overhanging trees on the opposite bank), posing on the same fence. As we watched a noisy Wren, young Greenfinch and Song Thrush all came into view,  making a reasonable start to the day from our cottage bird hide! Around ten o’clock the weather had eased a little and we set off for the day. Visibility remained dire, with leaden grey skies and mist creating appalling viewing conditions. We stopped briefly at Budle Bay, but the only things we could clearly discern were Great Black-backed Gull and Little Egret. Continuing along the road, the n...

 After several hours driving from Yorkshire, our first stop in Northumberland was at Cresswell beach. As we got out of the car we were surrounded by House Martins, flying low as they approached their nest sites in the eaves of a low building opposite the toilet block. Descending to the beach, in beautiful sunshine but a cool wind, we found the tide low, revealing an area of rocks and pools either side of an old sea wall stretching out into the bay. Sandwich Terns and Gulls loafed on the rocks, with some terns hunting over the water, heads pointing downwards as they searched for fish, before powerfully splashing down to capture their prey. A few probing Oystercatchers and Curlews foraged amongst the rocks nearby. House Martins On the other side of the wall a flock of Eider Ducks, in various stages of moult, roosted close to the waters edge. We walked gingerly along the wall for a better look and discovered mingled amongst them was a a flock of female Goosanders, mostly melting into ...

 We had a great day in East Yorkshire, meeting up with Helen for a short break on our way to Northumberland. Meeting at her house, the skies were full of chattering House Martins which nest in nearby buildings, interspersed with plenty of soaring swifts, slicing through the air with their scythe like wings. After a tasty lunch at a local cafe, we spent the afternoon at Blacktoft Sands, a wetland reserve close to the River Ouse. Our target bird here was Bittern, which have been regularly reported over recent weeks. A volunteer informed us birds were carrying food, so it was presumed a successful nest was hidden in the reed bed, and he advised us the Singleton hide was our best bet. We duly wandered along, rather pleased to note a Tree Sparrow in a bush on our way down the track, a species we do not get locally in Sussex. A medley of song from Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and Chiffchaff entertained us as we approached the hide, which overlooked an area of open water surrounded by exten...

 We had planned a trip to Ashdown Forest today in search of some heathland birds, but when news of a Red-necked Phalarope came through at Cuckmere Haven, we decided that had to trump our other targets, as this rare passage migrant was unlikely to hang around. We arrived to news that the bird had flown just before we got there, which was very frustrating. However, the opinion was it hadn’t gone far, and sure enough, around half an hour later the bird was relocated at the first meander of the river.  The most striking observation of the bird was its diminutive size. It was unfortunately at some distance, and looked tiny, but we were able to get decent views through the scope, and it is a very attractive and colourful bird. Although they are renowned for their habit of spinning in circles to disturb insects on the water, we did not observe such behaviour. We did however see it purposefully dipping its head and bobbing its tail in a distinctive fashion.  This was my fourth si...