Sussex Birding (2 Viewers)

[Mark43]

Alan and Simeon......sorry you didn't get to catch up with the LB.

But it was a little cracker

 

[Mark43]

Does anyone know anywhere in Sussex were waders (curlew, godwits e.t.c) hunt in fields? I know it is a bit of a strange request but I want to get some images of them with spring colours, thanks for any info!

Are there any still roosting in the North Fields, Pagham?

Not sure about North Fields but the fields at the back of the Ferry Pool at Pagham hosts lots of Curlews at times.Only thing is i am not sure how you get across to them assuming you can.

Sometimes the fields on the right hand side as you drive down to Church Norton host them as well.These are more accessible but it's down to time of year.

 

[Mark43]

An early morning visit to Pulborough today yielded 4 singing Nightingales at various points round the reserve of which 2 were seen.

Whitethroats,Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs in evidence but no Willow Warblers heard or seen.

Little Ringed Plover from Winpenny Hide.

Dunlins reported in the sightings book but not seen by us.

Cuckoo heard but again not seen.

 

[joannec]

Does anyone know anywhere in Sussex were waders (curlew, godwits e.t.c) hunt in fields? I know it is a bit of a strange request but I want to get some images of them with spring colours, thanks for any info!

Hi Liam...it's probably too far for you but Prett Levels at high tide is pretty much a dead cert for curlews in fields. Low tide and they are all on the beach but high tide they poke about in the grass. But you probably don't have too much time left as most head north, only the non breeders hang around. Post some pictures if you get some good ones.

Joanne

 

[joannec]

Nice spots guys! Arrived there a couple of hours later (up late watching golf), but zippo by then of course. Serves me right!
It did show again by late afternoon apparently. Tried following morning... only early this time, but still nil. And yesterday too, also nil. Not all in vain, as the Crossbill party came by. Finally I get to see them! (insert 'arms held skyward' emoticon here).

Al

33....that'll teach you to watch the sport late!

 

[DunnoKev]

Hi Liam...it's probably too far for you but Prett Levels at high tide is pretty much a dead cert for curlews in fields. Joanne

Srorry JC I'm petty sure they're thin on the ground awound Prett Prools now, especially with the livestrock back out there in brig numbers. There aren't that many petty frowers in the frields either I'm afraid

DrunnoKrev
------------
Who'll have what Joanne's dwinking prease..

 

[joannec]

You know best Kev....gonna tell us what else is around!?

 

[DunnoKev]

You know best Kev....gonna tell us what else is around!?

Dashed quiet there Joanne, dashed quiet, but the disturbance from livestock this time of year usually flushes the pools for a week or so around now. Otherwise pretty much as getting reported on RXWildlife.

Masochist that I am I'm trying to do a bit of viz-migging there this spring. It feels like some sort of community service punishment most mornings. (You have to go whether you want to or not, you won't enjoy it, and you're counting off the days until your time is done. So if you see someone looking half asleep propped up against a Green Nissan, come and give me a kick.)

 

[Liam:]

Thanks a lot of the help, I guess I will either have to get lucky or keep dreaming!

 

[Stoggler]

Anyone know where in Sussex is good for seeing Dartford Warblers?

I hear the Ashdown Forest is good, but that's rather a big place, so is there anywhere more specific?

Anywhere else in Sussex?

Thanks

 

[joannec]

Anyone know where in Sussex is good for seeing Dartford Warblers?

I hear the Ashdown Forest is good, but that's rather a big place, so is there anywhere more specific?

Anywhere else in Sussex?

Thanks

Ashdown Forest is good for DWs and it is big as you say. In any other year I would say they are in most heather and gorse areas. But I'm afraid they have suffered badly in this past cold winter and I fear lots haven't made it. They're still about but in reduced numbers. Good places, to name a few, are the area opposite the police training place,( on the Hartfield Road), the area opposite Old Lodge, Duddleswell, Millbrook. Look anywhere where there is gorse and heather.

Joanne

 

[Liam:]

I don't suppose anyone knows of any Little Owls in sussex? I noticed a recent posting on sos of one in Pagham near the North Wall, but no info on where abouts.

Again thanks for any help!

 

[Stoggler]

Ashdown Forest is good for DWs and it is big as you say. In any other year I would say they are in most heather and gorse areas. But I'm afraid they have suffered badly in this past cold winter and I fear lots haven't made it. They're still about but in reduced numbers. Good places, to name a few, are the area opposite the police training place,( on the Hartfield Road), the area opposite Old Lodge, Duddleswell, Millbrook. Look anywhere where there is gorse and heather.

Joanne

Thanks a lot Joanne - very helpful.

 

[Alan227]

Alan and Simeon......sorry you didn't get to catch up with the LB.

But it was a little cracker

So I gather Mark!...and v. elusive too. Had better luck with the Male Ring Ouzel there this week though.

Al

 

[joannec]

So I gather Mark!...and v. elusive too. Had better luck with the Male Ring Ouzel there this week though.

Al

Nice Al, I hear there were three up there.

Just come back from doing my Atlas tetrad on this fine summers morning. It's just south of Uckfield and includes Bentley. Fourty one common species in the two hours including my first whitethroats and house martins of the year, two buzzards, swallows, willow warblers and blackcaps and nightingale!

Joanne

 

[Alan227]

Nice Al, I hear there were three up there.

Just come back from doing my Atlas tetrad on this fine summers morning. It's just south of Uckfield and includes Bentley. Fourty one common species in the two hours including my first whitethroats and house martins of the year, two buzzards, swallows, willow warblers and blackcaps and nightingale!

Joanne

Apparently so Joanne. The other two were females and I thought I saw one dive into some undergrowth at one stage, but nothing more of it after that so couldn't be certain.

A Nightingale on your TTV...nice!! A good tally too. Have mine to do, but now that Whitethroat are in, I'll get on it. I'll be pleased if I get Buzzard! Less chance of Coal Tit later in month I find, although I did hear one yesterday, after what seemed a while.

Al

 

[joannec]

A Day at Pulborough

David and I met up with BFer hollis_f aka Frank at Pulborough and what a day for nightingales!!.......heard six and saw three and what a sound they made! It's easily the best daily nightingale tally for me. They were clearly in competition with one another and one posed for so long it was us that left and not him who disappeared. Very pleased to report that all three hirundines were pouring in up the valley in big numbers. Lots of common birds around but too many people. Other highlights were glimpses of hobby and swift by some and a distant greenshank, mandarin duck, a late pintail and whitethroats galore.

Here are two of our pictures. Hope you'll put up some of yours Frank.

 

[hollis_f]

Yup. I'll find time on Monday to do them. Got a bit distracted as the regular Barn Owl in the Adur Valley decided to pay a visit much earlier than usual, while the sun was still bathing the field.

For the people interested in herpetological sightings - we also saw a monster grass snake.

 

[Mark43]

So you went to Pulborough instead of Pagham in the end.......well it seemed like a good morning out by the sounds of it.:t:

Are you going to the SOS seawatch at Splash Point next weekend Joanne?

 

[joannec]

Are you going to the SOS seawatch at Splash Point next weekend Joanne?

Yes, the leader is excellent; really knows his stuff!