Two shots of the Great Grey Shrike, which was seen at Glynde Reach between 27 Dec and 2 Jan.
Thanks to Les Bird for allowing them to be reproduced here - for more images, see Les’ post on the Cuckmere-Ouse Bird Blog.
Posted in Local sightings, photo | Tagged glynde reach, great grey shrike, photographs | No Comments »
In an entirely predictable but still very annoying turn of events, the appearance of the shrike at Glynde appears to have coincided neatly with the only week in the last year that I’ve spent out of Sussex.
But a walk along the Reach today was worth it anyway. The water was frozen, and the landscape surrounding it subject to a severe and picturesque frost.
At the bridge, a male Blackcap fed beside the Reach - the first I’ve seen this winter. There were two pairs of Stonechats, one close to the village, another half a mile along the reach towards Ripe, and many thrushes and Robins.
Overlooking the open fields, there were no Lapwings visible (although Alan Kitson reported some with 60 Golden Plover and a Barn Owl towards the other side of the Levels today). A Buzzard braved the cold air, and a Kestrel scrutinised the area from a number of high perches - possibly a reason for the shrike’s absence.
Then returning to the village, a Common Snipe gave us a flypast, as it prospected a reedy ditch for some unfrozen mud to poke its considerable bill into. And a group of 17 Mute Swans heading over the village towards the levels made a beautiful sight and an equally impressive sound.
Who needs a shrike anyway?
Posted in Local sightings | Tagged barn owl, blackcap, common buzzard, common snipe, glynde reach, golden plover, great grey shrike, kestrel, lapwing, robin, stonechat | No Comments »
A Great Grey Shrike at Glynde, seen first yesterday and again today, around 400m east of Glynde Bridge, in hawthorns next to the Reach. The first local record for - how long? Many years, perhaps?
Also, nearby on Glynde Levels, five White-fronted Geese and 30 Golden Plover seen today, by Alan Kitson and Miou Helps (via SOS).
December is usually one of the quietest months in the birding calendar. It usually only livens up from Boxing Day, when more birders get out in the field.
This year, the combination of Christmas holidays and a sharp cold snap on the continent is producing some good finds. I’m not sure the shrike’s appearance can be attributed to harsh weather, but the geese appear to be part of an influx in recent days - with three Tundra Bean Geese turning up on Lewes Brooks and others (as well as more White-fronts) being seen elsewhere in south-east England.
Posted in Local sightings | Tagged glynde levels, glynde reach, great grey shrike, white-fronted goose | 2 Comments »
While putting out the rubbish this morning - a Waxwing heard and then seen flying through the garden.
After years of hearing about others people’s garden Waxwings, this is my first.
And given recent records in Hove and Seaford, perhaps it’s not the last this winter…?
Posted in Local sightings | Tagged waxwing | 1 Comment »
Taken on a cold morning, looking West-ish from Glynde Station.
Click on the photo and you might even see the heron 
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Good to hear from Paul that there were two Grey Partridges up near Bo Peep this weekend (flushed by a Hen Harrier, which in most circumstances would be the more notable sighting).
They’re the closest Greys to Firle that I am aware of - the next closest are reports just North of Seaford, on Lewes Brooks and at Ringmer.
Reared as game, or proper wild birds?
Paul also mentions that Hen Harriers have been seen regularly in the fields behind Bo Peep, with someone seeing an adult male - not a common sight in Sussex.
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Seven Bramblings flew low over the village this morning, seen by Paul Stevens.
Perhaps there are already some at last year’s spot, in the scrubby combe south of Bo Peep?
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A walk with Paul up Glynde Reach, in the gloom of Saturday afternoon.
Apart from the clouds and the wind, the afternoon belonged to thrushes: at least ten Blackbirds in hawthorns by Glynde Station, and party after party of Redwings in the scrub along the Reach, vastly outnumbering the seven Fieldfares.
Apart from thrushes, passerines were fairly thinly spread: three or more Reed Buntings, just a couple of Meadow Pipits, and a few Pied Wagtails overhead. A probable chat (let’s call it a possible Red-flanked Bluetail) flew up from the reeds but headed off high.
Looking back towards Glyndebourne, we saw a Common Buzzard being hassled by a Sparrowhawk, then shortly afterwards four Buzzards soaring at the same time.
Up on the levels towards Ripe, some big flocks: one of mixed crows, another of Woodpigeons, and best of all one of around 200 Lapwings, busy getting panicked by anything and nothing.
Turning back towards the village, a Greylag flew over the Reach, and a Wigeon called once. In the gathering dusk, a Little Egret headed SW over Glynde, heading to roost somewhere towards the Ouse.
As always the area looks full of potential; but a bit of luck may be required to pin down a harrier, Merlin or Short-eared Owl.
Posted in Local sightings | Tagged common buzzard, fieldfare, glynde reach, little egret, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, redwing, reed bunting, sparrowhawk | No Comments »
Some Barn Owl feathers, picked up by a friend near Charleston.
They were found alongside the remains of a leg. Cause of death wasn’t clear - mortality in the local area is most likely to be death by A27, it’s claimed at least two birds in the Middle Farm area over the last two years.
However, I believe these remains of this one were some way from the main road. Perhaps it was killed in some other way or its remains were picked up by a crow or fox and carried away from where it died.
Either way, Firle Barn Owls seem thinly spread, and it’s sad to have lost another one.
Posted in Local sightings | Tagged barn owl, feathers | No Comments »
The first Hen Harrier of the winter reported at Glynde today - a ringtail quartering drainage ditches near the Reach, just north of village, reported by James Grover (via SOS site).
Posted in Local sightings | Tagged glynde reach, hen harrier | No Comments »
Latest local sightings- Red-throated Diver at Arlington January 4, 2009
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