Teal

A superb, cold weekend. Walking through the park on Saturday, I was delighted to hear that odd piping/whistling call that only Teal make, from the direction of the Decoy Pond. I didn’t see any, but it sounded as though there was more than one – the first I’ve ever recorded in Firle.

Also in the park, a few dozen Black-headed and Common Gulls (but far fewer than last weekend) and a couple of Skylarks overhead.

At Beanstalk, a Reed Bunting or two were again in the hedge near the pig sty, alongside plenty of other small fry in the surrounding area. If there’s a Merlin around at the moment, I wouldn’t bet against it being seen here.

Returning along the Coach Road, a covey of (presumably Red-legged) partridges were flushed across a ploughed field, but were out of sight before I could get bins on them. Over the Plantation, a pair of Buzzards mewed, persistently mobbed by a crow.

Back near the village, in the paddocks at Place Farm, a sprightly mixed flock of thrushes included equal numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares, plus three Mistle Thrushes – around 30 in all. A Treecreeper sang in nearby trees (one of at least three territorial birds around the village at the moment).

Today, Paul reported many more winter thrushes, perhaps a couple of hundred in the area, and a feeding group of 2-3,000 Woodpigeons on the winter crop. A walk along Chalky Road just before dusk revealed at least two Little Owls going frantic.

Firle after the snow

My first snow-free walk around Firle for some time this morning, and none of the excitement of last weekend. But along the Coach Road near Beanstalk the presence of both game cover and unploughed stubble fields has pulled in some good birds – namely Yellowhammers, Skylarks and Reed Buntings (which can be locally scarce). Only small numbers were heard and seen (ones and two overhead at various points) with no view of a main flock if there is one, but still – worth a return look before the winter’s out.

Also in the area, a covey of four Red-legged Partridges, plenty of Common Gulls and a couple of flyover Great Black-Backed Gulls. Heading back through the Park, more gulls, two Mistle Thrush, and three Cormorants over.

In the afternoon at the cricket field, a calling Goldcrest was a welcome sign that at least one has made it through the freeze, and as the light dipped a smattering of Fieldfares and Redwings came through low overhead on their way to roost.

Woodcock on the Old Coach Road

A good Firle sighting by Paul S:

“A late afternoon walk around the village produced a surprised Woodcock on the old coach road just out of the village going east. This is the first one I’ve seen here in the two years I’ve been here. Also 6 Fieldfares and a Grey Wagtail.” (via SOS)

Upping of thrushes

A noticeable increase in winter thrushes over recent days in Firle – in addition to parties flying through, there are now several groups hanging around.

A mixed party of Fieldfares and Redwings has returned to their favourite spot, in paddocks just south of the allotments near The Ram. Yesterday a Sparrowhawk scattered about 30+ into nearby trees.

The hedge down Wick Street near Gibraltar Farm also had a small bunch of Fieldfares as I drove past yesterday – and then returning along the Old Coach Road near dusk last night, a tight pack of about 110 Fieldfares whipped along the hedge towards the Plantation, presumably on their way to roost.

One small paddock, four species of gull

Passing by the paddocks at Place Farm around 7 this morning, I was pleased to see (after a few weeks’ absence) our very own scraggy-tailed Herring Gull amongst around 30 Black-headed Gulls.

Coming back past a few minutes later, these had all moved on – but in flew three Common Gulls and a Lesser Black Backed Gull.

Still plenty of Fieldfares, Redwings and Mipits going over, plus Reed Bunting (a bit rare around the village). No sign of yesterday’s Brambling though.

Brambling at Place Farm

With heavy rain until about 10 yesterday, I was late walking the dog, but it seemed to coincide with all the birds starting to get busy after their own delayed start.

Walking up Bostal Road, a gaggle of about 30 noisy Canada Geese – that included one noisy Greylag – flew off the Downs and over my head. Away from the Decoy Pond in Firle Park, Greylags aren’t that common South of the A27.

Feeding groups of Chaffinches were noticeable in a couple of places, including where the bales stacked at Place Farm; and there, making nasal noises from atop a small tree, a Brambling – my first of the winter, and the first stationary one I’ve ever seen in Firle (I usually just catch them going overhead). A Grey Wagtail brightened the puddles on the road nearby

As well as the handful of Fieldfares that have taken up residence around the back of the allotments, quite a few have been moving through in recent days – including one flock of 85 West on Friday. Meanwhile a small party of Redwings, which had apparently been sheltering in a yew opposite the Post Office, decided to make their escape all of a sudden as I walked back into the village.

Around the cricket field

A spring-like afternoon, before the wet hit this evening.

The endless tag-team antics of the Long-tailed Tits were in evidence near the play-park, where a discontinuous chain of 19 birds were counted at one point.

In the horse paddock beside the tennis court, one of the local Mistle Thrushes was playing musical statues in the usual style, while a few Redwings and Fieldfares passed overhead (funny how they seem to prefer feeding on the other side of the village).

In the dead trees behind the cricket pavillion, what had  started out in the morning as an intriguing could-be-that-lesser-spot piece of weak drumming seemed to have morphed into a typical, echoing Great Spotted Woodpecker – lovely to hear nonetheless.

Finally, the regular partially albino Jackdaw was hopping around with its mates, looking for all the world like it was still defrosting after last week’s snow.

Winter thrushes

The largest mixed flock of Fieldfares and Redwings in Firle thus far this winter – around 75 today in the usual place, the paddocks on the south side of the village centre (thanks Paul).

Glynde Reach, 8 November

A walk with Paul up Glynde Reach, in the gloom of Saturday afternoon.

Apart from the clouds and the wind, the afternoon belonged to thrushes: at least ten Blackbirds in hawthorns by Glynde Station, and party after party of Redwings in the scrub along the Reach, vastly outnumbering the seven Fieldfares.

Apart from thrushes, passerines were fairly thinly spread: three or more Reed Buntings, just a couple of Meadow Pipits, and a few Pied Wagtails overhead. A probable chat (let’s call it a possible Red-flanked Bluetail) flew up from the reeds but headed off high.

Looking back towards Glyndebourne, we saw a Common Buzzard being hassled by a Sparrowhawk, then shortly afterwards four Buzzards soaring at the same time.

Up on the levels towards Ripe, some big flocks: one of mixed crows, another of Woodpigeons, and best of all one of around 200 Lapwings, busy getting panicked by anything and nothing.

Turning back towards the village, a Greylag flew over the Reach, and a Wigeon called once. In the gathering dusk, a Little Egret headed SW over Glynde, heading to roost somewhere towards the Ouse.

As always the area looks full of potential; but a bit of luck may be required to pin down a harrier, Merlin or Short-eared Owl.

Ringtail harrier + Stock flock

More good stuff from Paul Stevens, this time in Firle.

Today, a ringtail Hen Harrier just south-east of Blackcap Farm (beyond the Firle Beacon car park). Apparently it was disturbed by shooting and flew up high to the north.

A count of 80 Stock Doves is particularly noteworthy – there are often ones and twos around the park and elsewhere, but a group this size is likely to be one of the biggest flocks recorded in Sussex this year.

In the horse fields just north of the village centre, winter thrush numbers continue to build. At one point, there were at least 120 Fieldfares and Redwings today.