|
Latest News
Dawn Chorus Walk Report by Sue Phillips
Nine of us met at the Forest Centre at 5.00 a.m. yesterday (ouch), hearing woodcock and tawny owl from the car park. Blackbirds, robins and wrens were singing everywhere, but it was good to hear a cuckoo, too. Goldcrests were about in plenty, as were chiffchaffs; we counted at least four blackcaps as we walked on. Only a few willow warblers were heard, but we were very glad to hear the insistent song of a marsh tit, plus the usual coal, great and blue tits. A Green woodpecker was calling, and we heard a great spot drumming; song thrushes were heard, too, plus that lovely sleepy blackbird song from several points on the walk.
Derek Barber, who very kindly led the walk, most ably assisted by Dave, alerted us to a stock dove's song, and at about 06.00, the first redstart was heard. There were two - we managed to get good views of one of them in the 'scope - and a tree pipit was singing in an open glade nearby.
Treecreepers (two) were also seen, and a couple of lesser redpolls flew over. (Dare I mention the song of the herring gull, and Canada goose, also flying overhead? Or wood pigeon, or pheasant?)
As we left the trees and headed back on to the heathland, a couple of woodlarks were seen pottering about in the grass. We 'scoped these, too. Heading back, we found a fabulous yellowhammer, singing away, and saw two swallows flying over. Six or so linnets were bouncing about over the gorse, and several whitethroats were singing and displaying on our way back - lovely to see - and as we approached the Centre again, pied wagtails were chasing each other, a mistle thrush was singing, two jays were squawking away in the trees, a sparrowhawk flew high above, and we heard a buzzard mewing quite close by. Sadly, we didn't manage to find a stonechat, or a Dartford warbler. Not this time, anyway. Nuthatch, collared dove and long tailed tit boosted the tally.
A big thank you to Derek and Dave for their expert guidance, and for giving their time so generously. It was greatly appreciated by everyone.
Weekday trip to Castle Water (Rye) & Pett Pools
Report by Peter Johnson is available HERE.
Hoopoe in Crowborough - Pictures
Bob Pask has kindly sent me his pictures of the Hoopoe he had on private land somewhere around Crowborough. Please click the images for a larger version.
Many Thanks Bob!
New Website of Interest
I suspect anyone that views the RX Wildlife website will be aware that a new website has been created for the Brede Valley. For those that don't here is the link: www.bredevalley.info
Weekday Outings
Some members of the Group like to make a midweek trip (usually Wednesday), with the venue according to what's about. If you would like to come along, please contact Sue Phillips - everyone welcome!
West Dean Woods Report
Thanks to all those who attended the trip. A trip report from Alan Nottage is now available HERE.
  
Selected pictures from Peter Johnson.
Submission of Records
A big thank you to all our field recorders! I have submitted just over 5,300 records for 2007 to the SOS on bahalf of the Ashdown Bird Group. Peter Johnson
BTO Bird Atlas
I was asked today to pass a message to all those who are doing the BTO Bird Atlas from Shuan Taylor. Shaun says thank you for all your continued hard work, everyone is very pleased with the results so far!
ABG Norfolk Trip - Pictures!
 
 
 
Selected pictures from Bob Pask.
Thanks Bob for sharing these beautiful images with us!
ABG Norfolk Trip - 14th - 17th February
A list of species seen over the 4 day period is available HERE.
Weekday Trip to Dungeness - 30/01/08
Several members had a trip down to Dungeness, a report can be seen HERE.
Pagham Harbour Trip - 26/01/08
A great day out at Pagham Harbour today for members of the Ashdown Bird Group. Although we missed out on the glaucous gull and short-eared owl we still managed some excellent birds.
Starting at Runcton we saw the two Cattle Egrets (see 1st photo) in a field along vinnetrow road (me, Bob & Judy Johnson). We met the others at Pagham NR visitor centre we moved round to Church Norton a view out to see produced Red Breasted Merganser and Slavonian Grebe. On the beach there were two Bar-Tailed Godwits, one in full winter plumage and one in full summer plumage (see 2nd photo). They gave fantastic views, as did a flock of Knot and Grey Plover.
In Pagham Harbour itself we had two Peregrin Falcons and good numbers of waders including: Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Avocet and Turnstone.
A quick trip to Ferry Pool produced a few duck species including Wigeon, Teal, Shoveller and Mallard.
We then went round to the north wall at Pagham Village. What an excellent spot! We had good views of a Common Buzzard trying to pull up grass (see 3rd photo) and a male Sparrowhawk with an incredibly red breast. Large numbers of Brent Geese came in late afternoon as the tide turned. The Common Buzzard then showed nicely in a low tree (see 4th photo).
Once the tide had turned large numbers of Golden Plover, Lapwing and Black-Tailed Godwit came in. Also present were Pintail and the same selection of waders we'd had earlier. And just before the sun finally set we found a Mediterranean Gull in amongst flocks of Black Headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, and Herring Gull.
The weather was kind to us and we had a great days birding! Many Thanks to Sue Phillips, Bob Pask, Alan Nottage, Bob & Judy Johnson.
SOS Bird Race Update - Team Reports
SOS Bird Race 2008 by Peter Johnson, Mens team report. (02/01/2008)
SOS Bird Race 2008 by Sue Phillips, Ladies team report. (02/01/2008)
Recording Form Continuation Sheet Added
Available HERE. An additional form for lists of sightings requiring more than one page. Also if you have the SOS/BTO codes elsewhere and want a full page recording form you could use this.
A Guide to Using the New Recording Form
Available HERE. A short guide to using the new recording form written by Peter Johnson. Hope this clears up any questions! Also since putting the new recording form online I have been informed that it doesn't print correctly, I have altered the form and a new version is now available (as of (16/01/2008) so please do try again!
New Recording Form Now Online
The ABG recording form is now available online (HERE). This is a slightly tweaked version to meet the new SOS/BTO standards for recording. Please remember this is only for existing members! If you would like to do some recording on the Ashdown Forest please contact Sue Phillips (HERE) for more information.
SOS Bird Race 2008
Both the mens' and the ladies teams have now completed their bird race. Congratulations to both teams! This years' bird race was in aid of the Forest, putting Redstart boxes around Chelwood Vachery.
The final counts were as follows:
Ladies team, 83 species
Mens team, 80 species
Total monies raised was £120. The ladies team just pipped the men, bad luck guys -- but remember there's always next year! A complete summary from both teams will follow soon.
Sightings & Confirmed Breeding Report Added
Sue Phillips has kindly created a report based upon the records she has inputted of sightings and confirmed breeding of certain species. Click HERE or the menu heading "Reports & Information" above. The document is in Adobe PDF format and requires Adobe Reader (available HERE).
2008 Trips & Events Added
The new 2008 trips and events calendar has been added, click HERE or the menu heading "Trips & Events" above.
Website launched
We are proud to announce the launch of our own website, see opposite to read about why this website has been set up.
|
|
Why have a website?
The reason this website has been set up is to allow the Ashdown Bird Group to not only have an online presence but to start to add updated information so members can find out whats happening, download recording forms and have access to updated recording information and news.
I must stress that this is not going to have up-to-date sightings but will have downloadable summaries and reports of the species seen in and around the Ashdown Forest pail.
It would be fantastic if any members who have ideas, suggestions or even content for the website to get in touch and make this a great resource for everyone!
Peter Johnson
|
