Window to Wildlife

 It was a cold and frosty morning as we set out today, with thick mist shrouding the river. This lingered for most of our journey, and we began to doubt the prospects of seeing anything on our planned walk from Fairmile Bottom. However, just a few minutes from our destination, we left the fog behind, arriving in beautiful sunshine, with blue skies overhead. The ground was crisp underfoot, as we crunched across leaves edged in silvery frost.  The birding was slow, and the woods seemed quiet, but we gradually notched up a few species, including Goldcrest and several Nuthatches, the main birds singing today. As we reached the top of the ridge, we scanned the tops of the conifers for Hawfinch or Crossbill. Approaching the pool, I saw movement in the treetops, and we were thrilled to discover at least three Crossbills feeding on the pine cones, including two glorious, red males and a green female. This was a new annual tick for us, so it was fantastic to have such brilliant views. ...

 After a hectic week with family staying over Christmas, it was lovely to get out for a longer walk today, in a much loved and beautiful setting. We were lured across to the Cuckmere valley by the prospect of a Water Pipit near Litlington. Sadly, we failed to find this, with a number of Rock Pipits the best we could muster, but nevertheless we built up a reasonable tally of birds.  Rock Pipit A mix of Common, Herring and Black-headed Gulls were loafing on a flooded field, and at the river margins we found a Common Sandpiper, several Redshanks and on our way back, a Green Sandpiper which took to the air as we approached. A Kingfisher, apparently in hot pursuit of a Redshank was a lovely sight, and a mewing male Kestrel gave several decent views as it crossed the water. Common Sandpiper In the adjacent fields were many Canada Geese, but we soon enjoyed the spectacle of a large flock of Russian White-fronted Geese fly in to join them, with the diagnostic features of a white band ...

 We took a short stroll across to the river today, with Emilie keen to try out the new binoculars she got for Christmas, and also hoping for some new ticks! By the railway bridge we found nearly thirty Turnstones, incredibly camouflaged against the shingle, but small movements revealing their presence as they foraged amongst the stones in search of food. A single Oystercatcher, standing next to a tidal puddle, was much easier to see, as was a Redshank feeding along the water's edge, its bright legs giving a strong clue to its identity! A small mixed flock of waders was restive, at times settling on the exposed muddy shoreline, then circling low over the water before coming back in to feed once more. We crept nearer and with some prompting Emilie was able to see both Ringed Plover and Dunlin, both new birds for her. Continuing on beyond the Old Toll Bridge, a mixed gull flock contained a group of around half a dozen Common Gulls, a new species for both Emile and Kayte. Heading back ...

 While Kayte's car was in for its MOT, I took her for a walk across the lock gates to Southwick beach, where we quickly found three Little Gulls, revealing strong 'w' shaped wing patterns in flight, and looking diminutive when sat resting on the sea. Nearby Herring Gulls and also a Great Black-backed Gull helped reveal just how tiny these birds are in comparison. A nice easy tick for her and usefully close to home at this busy time of year. Little Gulls

 Whilst we were enjoying glorious sunshine and fantastic birds in Ecuador, news came through of a Red-necked Grebe in Southwick Harbour. Although somewhat less exotic than the species we were finding in Ecuador, this was nevertheless a 'good' bird for Sussex, with the inshore location offering the prospect of reasonable views. Fortunately, the bird stayed long enough for us to dash out on our return to the UK. It was a slightly frustrating bird to watch, as Grebes so often are, diving as soon as you put your bins up, disappearing for some time, before emerging at a remote distance. Initially just a small dot between the ships near the end of the canal, it gradually moved closer, giving excellent scope views, although photos were a little more tricky! It was also good to catch up with local birders who had come along for a look, making for an entertaining return to UK birding, and probably my last ‘tick’ for the year Red-necked Grebe

 This was another brilliant days birding, departing early as always to drive to Mashpi Amagusa reserve. We arrived at a viewing balcony, where, over a welcome cup of tea,  we were able to enjoy another fantastic array of new birds, all enjoying the feeding opportunities made available to them. A stump at the back of the garden was scattered with seeds, and a beautiful White-throated Quail Dove, with attractive facial markings, quietly filled its tummy here. At the fruit feeders a stunning male Red headed Barbet arrived for a snack, and a kaleidoscope of beautiful tanagers came and went in an ever changing display. There were the aptly named Flame-faced Tanagers, bright emerald Glistening-green Tanagers, with a small red spot at the sides of its head, the more subtly plumaged Moss-backed Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, and Golden-naped Tanager. These were all new species for us. Golden Tanagers were here too, together with the very attractive Golden-collared Honeycreeper. Sev...

 We departed while it was still dark this morning, with a 45 minute drive to the infamous Paz do las Aves reserve, where Angel Paz had pioneered the technique for luring Antpittas to food. This is normally a skulking family of species that is difficult to see, but Angel had effectively trained them to emerge from deep vegetation to feed on worms strategically placed on a log in the open, allowing birders to enjoy cracking views, and obtain superb photo opportunities.  We began the morning at a hide from where we watched a Cock-of-the-Rock lek, with around five males seen, odd but spectacular birds, with brazen scarlet plumage and a large, bulbous head. They charged around noisily, bobbing their heads aggressively as they displayed their prowess. Cock of the Rock As the activity died down, we walked through the Forest, encountering a mixed flock of birds, that were really tricky to see in a dark canopy with poor light. If I managed to find a bird I couldn’t make out any feature...

 We were again up fairly early, meeting on the terrace at 6am to enjoy a simple moth trap set up to entice a variety of birds in for their breakfast. It was certainly effective, and there was an immediate frenzy of birds buzzing before our eyes. Woodcreepers were amongst the first to arrive, with both Strong-billed and Montane Woodcreepers seen, dropping down to grab a moth, or clinging tenaciously to the trunk of a tree. Montane Woodcreeper The terrace looked down over an area of scrub and low vegetation, and here we saw Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers, Dusky Chlorospingus and White-winged Brushfinch moving through the bushes. Up in the canopy of some taller trees at the back, we caught frequent glimpses of Blackburnian Warbler, Tropical Parula, and White-tailed Tyrannulet. On some mossy branches arranged across two wooden posts, we noted  Black-headed Tanager and Yellow billed Euphonia coming down to feed. A Tropical Kingbird posed on a post, whilst a Golden-bellied Flycatcher...

Today was all about the Hummingbirds, with a mind boggling total of 26 species seen, along with an impressive array of other colourful species.  After a typically early start, leaving at 5.30 AM, we arrived at Zuroloma Reserve around 7 o clock. A mixture of Blue and White and Brown-bellied Swallows were noted on the way up the valley, perching and twittering noisily on the overhead wires. The scenery was wonderful, with verdant, green pastures, nestled amongst high volcanoes shrouded in cloud, and the sun was shining. We climbed the road steadily, eventually reaching the reserve at a height of approximately 10,000 feet. Zuroloma Reserve We had barely left the car before Roberto was pointing out a pair of  stunning Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanagers which flew into a bush just yards from the path. Taking a short descent, we reached an array of hummingbird feeders, with a dazzling blur of activity. Hummers were everywhere darting about at great speed and we stumbled over the name...