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.