Dave Flumm’s picture

Oh how fantastic! Dave Flumm one time Sussex-birder and Gerda Flumm, while here in Sussex at the beginning of July this year, went with us to Knepp where, while we did see purple emperors etc, we failed to see any free-flying White Storks. Recently 27 White Storks were released into the wild and, according to reports on social media, have travelled west and most, if not all, have arrived where? Yes, virtually in Dave’s garden not far from Drift Reservoir in Cornwall!

Update on the Cattle Egrets at Thorney Deeps. On Friday evening we had 10 adults and 8 juveniles feeding on insects etc on the east side of the Great Deep. At dusk they flew off west towards Langstone Mill Pond to roost including a flock of 11 at 20:10. Other birds of note included c400 Mediterranean Gulls hawking over the deeps at 17:50 and 200 Swallows roosted in the reed bed at dusk.
Today Sunday 25th Aug late morning the Cattle Egrets (10 adults and 8 juveniles) were showing well despite the very hot weather.

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A beautiful morning to be out and about. The lower slopes were awash with Blackcaps with about 30 seen. The highlight of the day was a Pied Flycatcher along with 4 Spotted. Near the top of the ring was a superb male Redstart calling incessantly. A Wheatear and 4 Stonechats were on the ring itself and the call of a Nuthatch from the woods to the south a rarity for me. As the heat was increasing I thought it wise to return home to listen to the Test Match. That, plus the birds, made it a very uplifting day!

To join the scattering of Pied Flycatcher sightings, I had a couple of glimpses of one in our Storrington garden at c 08.00 this morning, trying to drink from our larger and then our smaller pond, before being chased away by I think a Robin.

08.00-10.30: plenty migrants at Chantry hill this morning, with numerous Blackcaps and Whitethroats, at least 10 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Redstarts, 3 Wheatears, and 2 or 3 Tree Pipits. Despite lengthy optimistic searching I couldn't locate a pied fly! Yellowhammers, Linnets, c.70 Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits added to the general bird-filled feel, as did the constant passage overhead of Swallows and House Martins. 1 Swift noted overhead too.
Over the arable to the south of the car park were 2 Red Kites, 4 Buzzards, 3 Marsh Harriers and I'm not sure how many Ravens.

Best I could find on Ashdown this morning were two Whinchats,near Press Ridge Warren. At Weir Wood it was equally as slow ,just a Sedge Warbler and two Reed Warblers of note. Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Whitethroats all in much lower numbers this morning. Several sightings of Ravens and still a few Swifts around, waders included two each of Green And Common Sandpipers. The Great White Egret is still around but I failed in finding it today, two families of Reed Buntings noted along with 7 Greenfinch and 10+ Bullfinch.

Seemingly enjoying the the hot weather a Red Kite drifted across the summer sky- circling.

Two Honey-buzzards thermalling up together, slowly gaining height then sailing east before climbing higher above Fairlight Church. A dark possible juvenile and a very pale adult. At 10.45 am.

Just adding to Bob's list for this morning - although there were fewer than on previous days, there were small groups of Yellow Wagtails pottering around the feet of sheep in a couple of the sheep-grazed fields. Also there were a couple of Whinchats and five Wheatears on the fence line below Harry's Bush (until disturbed by walkers).