A brief weather window without rain or strong winds allowed an interesting few hours in the Ashdown Forest. Quality rather than quantity was the order of the day, as usual in this specialist habitat.
Target birds were Redstart, Wood Lark and Tree Pipit. Redstart was the first to be spotted - a male high up in a dead tree, followed by his mate. They lead us to the nest site and were obviously feeding young.
The Wood Larks were also very obliging and very approachable - two parents and two young. More Redstarts were seen at a different nest site before we got two fabulous views of Tree Pipits, one song-flighting and the other singing beautifully from the top of a pine tree just as the rain set in.
A flock of small birds went over and I initially thought they were Starlings. However, a very knowledgeable member of our group had a better view and they turned out to be a group of 14 Crossbills, feeding on cones. I was really thrilled - only my second sighting of this species and the last time was about 6 years ago.
If, big if, we get a decent warm evening, I might go back and try for the Nightjars and Woodcocks.
Target birds were Redstart, Wood Lark and Tree Pipit. Redstart was the first to be spotted - a male high up in a dead tree, followed by his mate. They lead us to the nest site and were obviously feeding young.
The Wood Larks were also very obliging and very approachable - two parents and two young. More Redstarts were seen at a different nest site before we got two fabulous views of Tree Pipits, one song-flighting and the other singing beautifully from the top of a pine tree just as the rain set in.
A flock of small birds went over and I initially thought they were Starlings. However, a very knowledgeable member of our group had a better view and they turned out to be a group of 14 Crossbills, feeding on cones. I was really thrilled - only my second sighting of this species and the last time was about 6 years ago.
If, big if, we get a decent warm evening, I might go back and try for the Nightjars and Woodcocks.
