Advice for Crowborough, East Sussex, Christmas Birding (1 Viewer)

leonardo_simon

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2017

• #1

Hi, I'll be visiting family in Crowborough over Christmas.

Where might be a good place for a few hours birding in the vicinity?

I see Ashdown forest often recommended - is there a particular spot there as I've not been very successful there in the past.

thanks

 

Paul Chapman

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2017

• #2

Apart from Ashdown Forest, Weirwood Reservoir may be a possibility.

http://www.weirwood.me.uk/?cat=4

All the best

 

leonardo_simon

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2017

• #3

Wierwood looks good, thanks for that.

Do you know where is best on Ashdown forest?

 

Paul Chapman

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2017

• #4

interoception said:

Wierwood looks good, thanks for that.

Do you know where is best on Ashdown forest?

Click to expand...

Don't know. I've asked an ex-Crowborough resident. I'll tap out here if I get a response.

All the best

 

Paul Chapman

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2017

• #5

The recommendations were:-

Old Lodge - https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/visit/old-lodge

Isle of Thorns - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2062909 - On A22 right hand side of car park south of llama park

All the best

 

leonardo_simon

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2017

• #6

that's great - thanks very much

 

JoeRawles

Feathers Wild Bird Care

• Dec 21, 2017

• #7

Old Lodge is great, particularly as it's one of few spots on the forest which isn't frequented by dog walkers and even when it is, they are on leads unlike a lot of other places! A short drive away is 'The Old Airstrip' - the best place i've found so far for dartford warblers. Just a very short walk from 'Long' car park - straight down the wide path, a couple of hundred yards, there is great habitat both sides of the path where you can find them. Lots of goldcrests, reed buntings and stonechats too.

Edit: Looks like 'Isle of Thorns' mentioned previously is the same place as The Old Airstrip! Should have looked first, haven't heard it called that before.

 

Richard Prior

Halfway up an Alp

• Dec 21, 2017

• #8

Always worth checking here to see what's about during your visit:

https://www.sos.org.uk/recent-sightings

 

leonardo_simon

Well-known member

• Jan 10, 2018

• #9

Thanks every one for this info.

In the end I went to The Isle of Thorns, Old Lodge, and the heathland around Crowborough itself (marked as Bunker's Warren on the OS 1:25,000 map) - this was for a couple of hours each of 25, 26, 27 Dec.

Overall, didn't see too much - weather not great except on 27th. - however it was nice to find new areas of the Ashdown Forest and get out of the house for a bit!

Was hoping to find a Dartford Warbler but didnt!

The most interesting birds I saw were:

Stonechat - at the Isle of Thorns
Goldcrest - everywhere
Chiffchaff - Isle of Thorns
Reed Bunting - Bunker's Warren
Grey Wagtail - fly-over at Isle of Thorns (probable)