Wednesday 22nd April: Sussex Commons

 We took a day out with Sue M today in search of some heathland specialists. The birding in these places is always quite hard going, relying on birdsong to assist in finding the birds, and with strong easterly winds, it proved hard work today.

We started at Iping Common, where the highlight was a couple of Dartford Warblers that popped out on the top of some bushes. They didn't linger for too long, but everyone got a decent, albeit brief view. They are always an exciting bird to find. A Willow Warbler sang loudly from a birch tree and this was another bird we managed to see well. A group of three Swifts overhead were Sue's first for the year.

Dartford Warbler (Sue Miles, not taken today)

Moving on to Amersham, it was a little less breezy, and I could hear a distant Tree Pipit, but we struggled to locate it. Taking a walk along one of the tracks, I almost trod on a Woodlark feeding unnoticed on the path in front of me while I was scanning the treetops to try to find one! Fortunately, it did not fly far, and proceeding more cautiously we soon picked up a pair of birds again, still feeding on the path, although they didn't allow us to get too close. A probable Tree Pipit was perched on a dead branch around 100 yards from the track, but the bright light made it tricky to confirm any features and neither Tim nor Sue got onto it. One that got away! Elsewhere we heard several Dartfords singing from deep in the gorse, but failed to spot any. Several showy Stonechats perched up well though.

Woodlark

Our final common of the day was at Lavington, where we again attempted to pin down the elusive Tree Pipit. Once again I could hear snatches of song, despite the wind, and several birds were found moving between the trees, but it was still proving difficult to pin down a confirmed ID. Eventually we spotted a bird pirouette into the air, then descend downwards with feet trailing before disappearing from view. Moving to a different position further along the path, we again saw the bird launch itself skyward and descend, eventually landing at the top of a tree in a characteristic pose. Finally we were able to see the bird and hear it sing, clinching the identification, although I can't pretend it's the best view I've ever had!

Tree Pipit (not taken today)

Finally we finished the day at Pulborough, on a fruitless search for a Wood Sandpiper reported earlier in the day. We returned home feeling pretty exhausted after a long day 'in the field' with lots of walking, but we had two new ticks for our efforts, and had enjoyed some lovely scenery, so it was all worthwhile.