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Latest News
Norfolk Trip 2010 - Photo Gallery
Apologies for the delay in posting this but the photos from the ABG Norfolk Trip 2010 are now available to view below:
ABG Norfolk Trip 2010 photo gallery.
2009 Records Analysis
Details about the records generated by the Ashdown Bird Group in 2009 are now available for all to view. The records are broken down into the areas (mainly car park names)
people begin recording from, this should not be considered complete as some records have been removed and others not yet added. A new menu item (above) has been added
for convenience.
Click here to see the 2009 records analysis.
Norfolk Trip 2010 - The Report
I'm sure many of you have been eagerly awaiting the ABG Norfolk 2010 trip report and species list, well it's here!
Trip Report
Species List
I hope all those who participated had a good time and those who didn't will consider coming next time.
Happy New Year & 2010 Bird Group Events Programme
A very Happy New Year to all, I sincerely hope it's a good one! The 2010 Bird Group Events Programme is now online, click "Trips & Events" above.
Recording Codes
You may have received a general e-mail announcement either from myself or via the BTO about changes to the behavioural codes. I was notified by John Newnham at the SOS that the following codes could no longer be used:
- C - Confirmed breeding
- PR - Probable breeding
- PS - PoSsible breeding
Instead you need to use the descriptive codes. I appreciate this is not going to be easy and there is nothing I can do to change this. If you would like to know more about the codes please visit: www.bto.org/birdatlas/taking_part/bevidence.htm.
Seaford Head Group Trip Report
Now available HERE. Includes pictures taken by Peter Johnson.
Oare Marshes and Elmley Group Trip Report
Now available HERE. Includes pictures taken by Peter Johnson.
Recording at Bewl Water
We have been asked if anyone is interested recording over at Bewl Water. If you are interested please get in touch with Sue Phillips.
Pett Level and Dungeness Group Trip Report
Now available HERE. Includes fantastic pictures from Sue Walsh.
BBQ - 29th August 2009
Many thanks to Joanne and David for their hospitality and use of their garden! Thanks also to all those who helped out; be it setting up, taking down, manning the barbecue or just bringing such lovely food!! A great evening was had by all who attended.
On the same topic, there are still a number of people who haven't paid their share towards the barbecue. Please can you ensure that you send £4 for each person in your party who attended as quickly as possible.
Nightjar Walk - 13th August 2009
Al Nottage, Shaun Taylor, Alan Caulkett, Roy Sanderson, Chris Walker, Roy Harman, Bob Pask, Dorothy Loftus, Bob and Judy Johnson, Dick Freeman and Sue Phillips went - we split into two parties as we reached the lower end of Greenwood Gate. At least four chiffchaffs were heard calling, and the walk in Wrens Valley produced two singing males. Greenwood Gate produced a male singing, which later flew around us with a possible female and woodcock were heard there, too. Wrens Valley produced a close woodcock. Roy H and Dorothy had a Nightjar flying around them in the Pines area.
Tawny owl was calling from the Kingstanding area. Four swallows were flying overhead in the early part of the walk. Altogether quite a good night!
Shellness & Elmley Bird Group Trip
In a change to our programme it was decided that Shellness was not going to be a profitable place to visit at this time. Instead we went to Oare Marshes and then Elmley. A trip report is now available HERE. Please be patient as the report contains pictures (by Bob Pask and Bob Johnson) and is about 1.3mb. Many thanks for the pictures!!
Nightjar Walk Report
Now available HERE.
Wivelsfield Green Trip Report
Now available HERE.
Stodmarsh Trip Report
Now available HERE.
Ashdown Forest Listed on BirdForum
After a number of months laying idle we now have a basic page up on the BirdForum Opus. For those of you who have never heard of either BirdForum or its Opus, this is a community website for birdwatchers all around the world to contribute and discuss all things feathered. Its a great resource for finding out and asking questions about birdwatching, sites, equipment, etc. Please do visit our page at: http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Ashdown_Forest
It would be fantastic if other members of our group could join and contribute to this page and making it a great resource for those wanting to visit the Forest. I have tried to avoid mentioning any locations where sensitive species are or where over-wintering species roost. It would be nice if those with a patch could add a section about it.
More Pictures for the Gallery
I will be looking to add more pictures and sections into our online gallery. You may remember that I put the Norfolk trip pictures online and asked anyone for other pictures. I have had a few from people and will be putting these online (with the owners permission of course!). I am also going to start a new section for pictures taken on the Forest, it would be nice to have a gallery dedicated to the Forest so if you have any please do send them to me! Many thanks.
Trip Reports
I have missed a couple of reports from the last few trips, my apologies to those who like to read them! I will be putting these up as soon as possible. If any group member who comes out on one of our trips wants to write a trip report then please speak up! Probably best to say on the day, or if you just want to write an independent report then please feel free and I'll publish it onto the website.
Online Recording with iRecord
Some of you will remember that I wrote a piece of software which was used to input records electronically. This software wasn't fantastic, it had a few problems, and it was felt that it wasn't up to the challenge. So I created an online recording system, this has been more popular and certainly some have mentioned that they find it easy to use. A couple of comments and suggestions were made over 6 months ago, I promised to look into it, but nothing happened.
Well, good news!! I have now updated the recording system! I haven't finished it quite yet, for instance the list editor under 'Manage Lists' still uses the old form. Also if you make a mistake on the list you are creating there is no 'edit' facility any more, please just delete the item and enter it again. As always if you have a question, comment or suggestion then drop me an e-mail.
Happy Holidays
As most of you probably know I've been away on holiday for a couple of weeks, hence the lack of updates. I'm back now so updates will commence again. I hope everyone is happy, well and doing lots of recording!!
Dungeness Trip Report
A trip report by Alan Nottage is now available HERE.
Spring Migrants - 12/04/2009
Migration has started in earnest now. A trip to Old Lodge today (almost seeing the Little Bunting that got reported) saw the first Cuckoo, Redstarts and Tree Pipits.
Rye Harbour
An excellent trip to Rye Harbour, Pett and Pannel Valley.
A trip report is now available HERE.
Old Lodge
Trip report now available HERE.
West Dean Woods & Pagham Harbour
Pictures now available HERE.
West Dean Woods & Pagham Harbour Trip Reports
Trip reports are now available (see below). The Pagham Harbour report is a supplemental report to West Dean Woods as only a few attended.
West Dean Woods Report
Pagham Harbour Report
Extra Dates For Your Diary
3rd May - Friends of the Forest Spring Walk
14th May - Probus spring migrants walk
16th June - Friends of the Forest Nightjar Walk
Venues to be organised.
Norfolk Trip 2009
Well the Norfolk trip has been and gone, but never forgotten!! There will be a trip report coming soon... The group species total reached 120, which is absolutely fantastic!
I've been promising a picture gallery for sometime and finally here is a test version of the photos taken in Norfolk:
Access Norfolk Picture Gallery
Enjoy, and please let me know what you think! I would like to do the same thing with pictures of Ashdown Forest as well.
Monday 5th November - Happy New Year to everyone, I hope 2009 is another fantastic birding year for us all!
The proposed programme for 2009 is now available under Trips & Events.
Saturday 8th November - West Hythe and Dungeness Bird Trip Report
Is available HERE.
 
 
Thanks to Peter and Bob for the pictures!
Saturday 18th October - Seaford Head Bird Trip Report
Is available HERE.
Saturday 19th September - Oare & Elmley Bird Trip Report
Is available HERE.
Saturday 30th August - Pett Pools & Dungeness Bird Trip Report
Is available HERE.
Nightjar walk for Friends' of the Forest
Some of our members helped out with an evening walk for the Friends' of the Forest, report HERE.
Saturday 14th June - Pannel Valley Bird Trip Report
Is available HERE.
Mid-week Bird Trip Report
Those intrepid mid-week birders have been out again and a trip report from Joanne Chattaway is available HERE.
Forest Pictures
 Joanne Chattaway has submitted a gorgeous picture of a Stonechat taken on the Forest, a larger version is available HERE.
Lack of Updates...
Hello Everyone! Sorry for the lack of updates recently, I have been away on holiday. But I'm back now and have a number of items to go up, so keep an eye on the site!! On a slightly diferent subject I want to thank everyone for their continued heroic efforts recording on the Forest, you're all doing a fantastic job and if we continue to get the same number for records throughout the rest of the year we will beat last years total of over 5,000 records!
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.
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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
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