First of December, and the first proper frost too. Lesser Redpoll still at the cricket pitch, also Green Woodpecker and several Meadow Pipits.
The levels between Glynde and Beddingham bridges have a lot of water on them now, attracting a Little Egret there this morning.
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.
More good stuff at Glynde of late.
On Sunday, a Red Kite reported at Mount Caburn (Peter Coward, per SOS sightings). There have been been quite a few around in the last few days, including a remarkable flock of nine together over Northiam in the East of the county. Is the Caburn bird just passing through, or (one of) the same as has been seen at Beddingham, Kingston and Berwick in recent days?
In Glynde village, a report of what sounds very likely to be a Nightingale singing in the evenings, as heard from the junction of the main road and Ranscombe Lane. [UPDATE: This now seems likely to have been a thrush (see comment below)]
And Little Egrets seem to be passing over regularly now, perhaps to feed during the day on Glynde levels. After the two I saw last week, there were two again at around 8.15 yesterday, and three today around the same time – all following the Reach.
No sooner has I moaned about it, a Cuckoo (the Cuckoo?)appeared over my head at Glynde Station this morning. Remind me to moan more often.
About the same time, a Little Egret flew over the village toward Glynde Levels, and Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit and Swallow were all highly visible from the bridge.
There’s now a rather jealous-making account of Saturday’s Bee-eater sighting at Southease on the SOS sightings board.
Apparently the bird was seen rather well (if briefly) as it headed north-east over the Downs at 2.55pm. At that precise moment, I was in Beddingham – which incidentally lies just north-east of Southease.
I wonder what I was doing when it flew over my head? [sobs into keyboard]
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 were two Little Egrets feeding on the levels, close to the track.
Finally, after many journeys spent staring speculatively out of the train window – a Barn Owl, seen hunting just west of Glynde village.
A couple have been reported close to the A27 between Lewes and Brighton in recent days.
The swelling daylight is now making travel at the beginning and end of the day more interesting. Last week I saw my first egret-by-train of the year, poking about in a field just outside Lewes.
I’m still holding out for something ridiculous and instantly-identifiable – say, a stork or a crane. And I’m not talking about the heavy machinery at Beddingham roadworks.
Ah well. In the meantime, here’s some rather good footage of a Barn Owl hunting (sadly, not mine).
When I was about 15, too young to drive and stranded in mid-Kent, I begged my dad to help me twitch a Little Egret at Rye Harbour.
Back in 1990 or thereabouts, Little Egrets were thin on the ground. Despite having ticked off quite a few odd vagrants, I had yet to see one. The Rye bird, which spent most of that summer hanging out with the Cormorants, was an exotic treat.
Seventeen years later and Little Egrets are an established part of the scenery, a daily feature of the journey to work for many of us. Look out as the train crosses the Ouse at Lewes and – if there’s any mud showing – you’re likely to see one wading around at the edges.
Commuters crossing the Cuckmere at Exceat or passing the Ouse Estuary Project at Newhaven presumably see them often too.
No longer a rarity, not even a scarcity – but seventeen years after my first, I still get a buzz every time I catch sight of one.
Firle Birds 