Warm air, winter birds

A balmy morning  (practically T-shirt weather) but the birds are decidedly autumnal.
At least one Redpoll flew through (following six yesterday), followed by a couple of Redwings. Three Yellowhammers over the centre of the village was a sign of the season too.
The sun seems to be encouraging Skylarks to sing, particularly in the fields by Bostal [...]

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Lovely day for almost seeing some stuff

A lot moving overhead this morning, mainly Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Chaffinches and Pied Wagtails.
In the village, Coal Tit, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch and a single House Martin.
Up at the Plantation, usual suspects in the woodland (both woodpeckers, Jay, Treecreper), and on the escarpment/game cover just to the east, singing Chiffchaff and several calling birds, some vocal [...]

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Firle on the levels

Back up to the Plantation again this morning, and one or more Marsh Tits again in evidence, this time with a mixed flock of LT, Blue and Great Tits and perhaps 10 Chiffchaffs, in scrub just to the east of the woodland.
In the plantation itself, Treecreeper singing and GS Woodpecker calling, while on the big [...]

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Littledene to Stump Bottom

A walk on Saturday morning from Littledene to Stump Bottom, returning via Blackcap Farm, was productive despite the strong winds and occasional showers.
At Littledene there were 2 Red-legged Patridges and halfway up the escarpment a couple of  displaying Meadow Pipits, and the first of at least 18 singing Skylarks along the route.
Around the gorse at [...]

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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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Fresh hirundines

Spring incontestably in the air now. At least three Blackcaps singing between the Ram and the entrance to Firle Park this morning, with Skylarks in full voice along the A27.
At Glynde Station, my first Swallow of the year was sharing airspace with a couple of freshly arrived House Martins, and then from the train there [...]

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