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...

 With an early pub lunch with friends in the diary, we had no plans for birding today. However, following a relaxing meal, we decided to walk the long way home, through Buckingham Park and beside the river. At the Flood Arch sluice, we were thrilled to see two shimmering Kingfishers dashing upstream, then quickly returning with a sharp whistle as they darted out of view beneath the sluice.  Crossing the park, a Kestrel hovered over the ‘wildlife area’, but our star bird was found as we took the narrow scrub-lined path towards the river, where Tim noticed a Spotted Flycatcher perched on a curving bramble stem. It posed awhile, before performing its characteristic fly-catching dance, arching into the air and resettling on an adjacent dead branch. We were able to observe this lovely but understated bird for several minutes, noting its streaked crown and subtle chest markings. This was our first sighting of the species for the year, so it was great to have such stonking views! Spo...

 Sue and I were a little late for peak migration watching this morning, having spent a couple of hours on Sdos business before we set out. Nevertheless, we had a rewarding walk and managed a reasonable tally of species. We took the path from Beggars Bush car park, and found a Lesser Whitethroat showing remarkably well in a small bush beside the track. As we began to climb the ring, Goldfinches and Linnets were active, and soon we encountered an area of trees and scrub where there were several yellow-hued young Willow Warblers flitting, as well as a wheezing Greenfinch and a lollipop flock of twittering Long-tailed Tits. At the top of the scarp slope, we sat on the grass and waited for the birds to come to us. We had several sightings of Common Redstart, although the dense leaf cover meant we never really had decent views. Blackcaps, male and female, were foraging here, together with Common Whitethroat and more Willow Warblers, all fattening up for the next stage of their long journ...

Flushed with the success of Barn Owls last night, we set out on foot to return to New Monks Farm country park, hoping for Whinchat or Wheatear which had been reported, and for whom the habitat looked good. We walked along the river, where we counted an impressive tally of 103 Ringed Plovers, accompanied by a few Dunlin, although these numbers are just a shadow of the thousands that used to frequent the estuary in days gone by. A total of 31 Redshank were also gathered, busily feeding on the far bank in front of the airport. At the park, we encountered the usual charms of Goldfinches and small flocks of Linnets which were very mobile, together with the ubiquitous Kestrel, seen on every visit to this site, which is obviously providing an excellent food supply. At the pond by the roundabout, a Grey Heron was flushed and quickly disappeared into dense reedbed vegetation. Several Moorhen frequented various ditches and pools, plus a single Coot swam in a pool viewable from one of the bridges...

 This evening we joined a group of birders looking for the Barn Owls residing at New Monks Farm country park. We had previously seen these on Friday with Han, but were not able to linger, so returned tonight, Tim with camera in tow. We only saw one bird as far as we are aware, but it gave some decent and extended views as it quartered the ditches in search of dinner, sometimes dropping out if view and occasionally perching up on the bank, turning its beautiful heart-shaped face to gaze at the array of visitors and their cameras!  Evening photos are never easy, with rapidly declining night, but Tim managed a reasonable record shot, and we enjoyed a sociable meeting, chatting with many Sdos members also watching these local celebrities. Barn Owl