Old Lodge Nature Reserve, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex ... Sunday 20th June 2010

Yet another visit to Old Lodge nature reserve on the Ashdown Forest today produced the goods at long last - our first Spotted Flycatcher of the year.
Although it proved difficult to digiscope, as it continuously did what flycatchers are supposed to do, I did manage a few record shots.


SPOTTED FLYCATCHER

Common Redstarts are all round the reserve, some still obviously feeding young in their nest holes whilst others were seen feeding fledglings. At least seven males, five females and two juveniles were seen but I failed to get a single photo of any of them.

Three Woodlarks were also present, as were three Tree Pipits, two male and one female Stonechats and a family party of three Treecreepers.


Female STONECHAT

Coal Tits were numerous with thirty-plus seen and many more heard.


COAL TIT

The supporting cast for the day included five Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, three Common Whitethroats, two Linnets, two Pied Wagtails, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, two Green Woodpeckers, a Mistle Thrush, a Kestrel and around ten Swifts. A total of 28 species were noted.

Seven Fallow Deer were also present.

It was sad to see, on the reserve, a very young rabbit blinded and disorientated by myxomatosis.

Graham & Sue