Osprey over Glynde

On Sunday, what sounds to have been an Osprey over Glynde village, seen by several residents. First record of the year for the three parishes.
Grey Wagtails now being seen or heard daily around Firle village centre, and at Place Farm – best spot is the cattle shed viewable from the Old Coach Road as you [...]

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The one with the Red Kite: Safari Britain walk, 9 August

There was hardly a bird to be heard as we gathered at the Safari Britain campsite on a lovely August morning. The previous day had been hot, but this morning was warm with a welcome breeze and a little light cloud cover.
Moving down from the campsite towards the Coach Road, the beech trees started to [...]

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Late late swallows

Bit late this… Maybe it’s because the days are getting shorter, or possibly it’s just my faculties going into hibernation.
On Saturday (18th),  what might just have been my last four Swallows of the year flew through the village. Sigh.
One or two Chiffchaffs remain, calling quizzically from the gardens. But they’re now well outnumbered by incoming [...]

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Safari Britain, 26 July

Belated report from the last Safari Britain walk.
Six of us enjoyed the best weekend weather for ages on a 2.5 hour walk around Firle Beacon. Virtually the first birds were two distant Hobbies, streaking around in the direction of Middle Farm. As we cut down through the field of corn, the regular Chiffchaff made apologetic [...]

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Safari Britain, 5 July

Mid-morning, early July, and the wind was whipping along the escarpment. But the rain held off, and we had a good walk, with six guests of the Safari Britain camp.
Around the campsite itself, little was singing bar the obligatory Chiffchaff, which apparently stops for nothing. A Red-legged Partridge was disturbed from the corn, while [...]

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Cuilfail

Finally made it up Chapel Lane in Lewes, which climbs over the Cuilfail Tunnel onto Caburn. It’s an amazing spot. You look down over the river, the railway land and the town, giving you the chance to see birds of prey from above, and Little Egrets following the Ouse.
Yesterday, on a warm morning in [...]

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Grey Partridge in ‘not locally extinct’ shocker

Had a nice surprise yesterday while driving between Glyndebourne and Ringmer – a Grey Partridge flying out in front of the car.
This is the first I’ve seen in the local area. There are fairly recent reports for the Downs just north of Seaford, and for Lewes Brooks, but I was beginning to wonder if [...]

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Around the village

Over the couple of weeks…
The main arrival of Chiffchaffs appeared to take place on the 15th, when there were birds singing in the middle of the village and along Ripe Lane, near Middle Farm. Amazing how reliable these first migrants are.
On the same day, there was a female Grey Wagtail on the stream leading out [...]

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