Cliffe Pools

 At the RSPB reserve today. Large number of fieldfares on estuary fields also some redwings about. On the mudflats: large number of avocets, sandpipers and teal.  Also saw a kingfisher an egret and a single reed bunting.

Snow

 With a covering of snow this morning, it was with some surprise that I saw a large flock of finches (probably linnets) on the field in front of the house. This field is not being currently cultivated and must have a substantial store of wild seeds, but surely mainly beneath the snow. The finches however, seemed to be capable of finding food on this exposed area.

Later, on a local golf course, many redwings were flying between trees though I did not see them feeding at all. Then a sparrow hawk flew across in hot pursuit of a finch. Both birds disappeared into some trees so I failed to see the outcome.

Woodcock

 A woodcock flew over the house at dusk last evening. It is a first for this area, though with all the rain that we have had, there is plenty of soft ground for them to feed in and nearby woods offer plenty of daytime cover. I just hope this was not a one off and that there is a breeding pair this summer.

Jackdaws

 The jackdaws are roosting in a nearby wood. They gather in their hundreds on the fields grabbing a final meal in the murk. On an impulse, they noisily fly in groups to the wood. Here they can be heard communicating with each other before settling for the night. I am surprised to see them roosting in the tops of the trees. You would think that they would perch lower where there is more protection from the wind.

More winter migrants have arrived, with plentiful redwings feeding on the pastures. A visit to the Ashdown Forest revealed fieldfares feasting on holly berries. The female trees were heavily laden with fruit.

Red Kite and peregrine

 It is not all that unusual to see a red kite flying over the house (maybe once a month). I watched one soaring overhead this afternoon, but then another bird of prey caught my eye and it turned out to be a peregrine falcon. These are very rarely seen in this part of the country and to see one in the same sky space as a red kite, was remarkable.

Barn Owl

 Walking along a hedgerow recently, I disturbed a roosting barn owl. It flew from its perch just five metres from me across the field to land in another tree. There it drew the attention of some crows. By the time I had circumnavigated the field, the owl had gone. The tree it flew to, was on the edge of a very large wood, so it would have no difficulty in disappearing from view.

This is only the second sighting I have had of a barn owl in my area in eight years of residence.

Winter

 The cold, wet weather has made the ground muddy and getting about the countryside on foot is difficult. There are still a few migrant thrushes around, but not in anything like the numbers in the autumn. Large mixed flocks of crows and jackdaws gather on the young wheat fields prior to a communal roost in the nearby woods. Jays appear to have continued to increase in number and rarely a day goes by without seeing at least one. The mistle thrush has been singing for a few weeks now and it is possible to hear the occasional song thrush practising for the upcoming breeding season. Goldfinches are not yet coming to the feeders in the garden but a flock of up to twenty individuals can regularly be seen feeding on weeds in the field beyond the garden. The bramble finches have moved on but chaffinches still abound.