Al, Shaun, John, Sue and Chrissie met at Park Corner at a very civilised 10 o’clock on a sunny but cool morning. Our hopes of nightingale were rewarded, with one singing when we had gone about half way round the reserve. We subsequently had good ‘scope views of the bird. Garden warbler was also heard, and seen briefly, and there were plenty of blackcaps, chiffchaffs and a few whitethroats. Shaun Continue reading
In recent news a Wood Warbler was found at Townsend car park, a regular haunt for this species over the years, and another at St John’s Common. We are particularly interested in any sightings of this species, please do get in touch if you have heard or seen one this year.
Richard Perry has had some good birds on his two patches in the West Chase during the early part of the month. Woodlarks were seen twice (singletons), and sixteen crossbills were a good find. There were two separate sightings of a female stonechat on the less wooded patch, and a pair of crossbills. Willow warbler numbers on both patches increased from one to six, and tree pipit numbers rose from three Continue reading
This is an odd one – but there is a loose Rhea on the Forest. A Rhea is a large ostrich like bird standing about 6′ tall. It has escaped from a farm in Crowborough and has been seen at various locations across the Forest. It is not aggressive but it will startle you if you should come across it. Let us (the Forest Centre) know if you see it.
John K, Alan N, Peter J and Sue P arrived at Rye on a bright but cold and windy morning, to hear a mistle thrush singing in the trees by the car park. Walking out, we found lesser black backed gull, a handsome male reed bunting, plenty of linnets, and heard Med gulls overhead. Greater black backed gulls were roosting, and oystercatchers, redshanks, grey plover, dunlin, a bar tailed godwit, little ringed Continue reading
SOS website reports: A single Common Snipe was drumming over Ashdown Forest today, just SW of the Lodge car park. Something neither of us had seen before, and weren’t expecting to see either! By Will Rawles & Luke Wallace
Original post on SOS website HERE.
The first Cuckoo was heard calling around the Stonehill area this morning. Also around the Forest the first Tree Pipits have begun arriving. Woodlarks appear to be in good numbers and despite the Pylons/King Standing/Crows Nest Clump area being burnt there are still Woodlarks present there.
Earlier in the week several people reported seeing Red Kites; mainly over the higher sections of the Forest.
The sheep and cattle will be out grazing on the Forest from 1st April.
There are notices posted on all gates that say, ‘Please ensure all gates are closed. Dogs must be kept under proper control at all times. If a dog is seen attacking or chasing livestock it could be shot. If you see any problems please ring the Forest Centre straight away Thank You’
During office hours the Forest Centre can Continue reading
Traveling across the Forest today (around 3pm) past Poundgate I could see billowing smoke coming from the next valley over beyond Crows Nest Clump. Fire engines, 4×4 rescue vehicles and a helicopter were all screaming to the scene. Pulling in at Poundgate with a throng of other people we watched as distant fire fighters tackled the blaze and the helicopter buzzed overhead.
I managed to take Continue reading
A Red Kite was spotted passing through the Stonehill and Friends Clump area on Friday 23rd. Also it appears that Stonechat numbers are starting to rise again, hopefully they’ll have a good breeding season and start building their population up again.