Old Lodge Nature Reserve.

Following on from a previous post 'Obliging Redstart', for which I thank everyone for their appreciative comments, as promised I'm returning to Old Lodge Nature Reserve with a few other images taken during my late morning stroll around this heathland location in East Sussex including a few gates and fences. (Linking to Good Fences hosted by TexWisGirl). 

The first avian species seen was a Common Redstart that flew from the pathway in front of me and disappeared into the nearby woodland. 

Some time later I had a much closer encounter and you can view some of those images in my earlier post and on FABirding.

Tree Pipits were also very vocal but unfortunately failed to come within range of my lens. A Cuckoo was also heard calling but not seen.

I saw several species of Moths but only one settled long enough ... a very tatty Common Heath. (Thanks to Dave for the ID correction).

The view beyond the fence line gives an indication of the terrain ... a fairly deep sided valley. I enjoyed the downward journey but didn't relish the steep climb up the other side!

 

Despite the warmer temperature there were very few butterflies seen apart from Speckled Wood, a couple of Brimstone and this Small Heath that was very flighty.  

On the downward slope I located a small patch of Common Spotted Orchids.

Another heathland specialist is the Stonechat, often spotted on a high perch, and I also watched one pair feeding youngsters hiding in a stand of gorse.

And finally (no apologies) for another shot of the Common Redstart that was definitely the star species during this visit.

Obliging Redstart.

Last Friday morning we drove into East Sussex to enable Anita to attend a craft event at Crowborough and with the chance of some half decent weather I took the opportunity to revisit Old Lodge Nature Reserve.

With views across the Ashdown Forest the reserve habitat is a mixture of heathland, woodland and small pools that support a very varied selection of wildlife including a dozen species of Odonata.

On this visit I saw one or two damselflies and views of any dragonflies were also scarce as they tend to emerge here some three or four weeks later due to the colder temperature of the water.

This site is a stronghold for several avian species, including Tree Pipit and Common Redstart and while listening to Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers I saw both my target species within the first 15 minutes but it took another hour before one special species provided an opportunity to enjoy a close encounter.

As I climbed out of the deep valley I noticed a male Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) using a fence post as a perch in between its search for insects so I promptly found a spot to park myself and waited and watched.

On a couple of occasions it flew away from the fence line and used a dead snag as a perch, just a little too far away for a really good close up, but after a while that situation changed.

This delightful but 'Amber listed' bird gets its name from its fiery-red tail which it constantly flicks and also fans out during its courtship displays.

Originally categorised within the Chat and Thrush (Turdidae) family it is now considered to belong to the Old world flycatchers (Muscicapidae).

This male was obviously feeding a young brood by finding plenty of insects in the grass beneath its perch then flying off but regularly returning to the same spot providing me with some of the best views I've ever enjoyed.

Every so often he would just stop and rest on one of the fence posts and occasionally treat me to a burst of song so I have included below a sonogram by Patrick Aberg in Sweden and you will also hear Willow Warbler and Chaffinch in the background.

More images from this session can be seen HERE and I'll be sharing some other wildlife seen during this brief visit in a future post. FAB.

Linking to Nature Notes and Wild Bird Wednesday.

Out & About last week.

A few days rest at home last week, mainly catching up on the odd chore, but we were able to get out for a couple of walks at the end of the week.

A coastal visit to Cuckmere Haven in Sussex. Clear sky but quite windy with lots of school parties walking the meanders to the beach. Not a great dearth of sightings but plenty of Little Egrets flying around.

At the beach I caught up with Fulmars floating high above the cliffs and 12 Whimbrel briefly on the muddy river margin before being spooked by other walkers. A few Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Cetti's Warbler (heard) and Skylarks singing everywhere. Not sure what happened to this guys other horn but he seemed happy enough!

On the recommendation of a friend we also paid a midday visit to Old Lodge Nature Reserve in Ashdown Forest. Another chilly day and unfortunately not very many avian sightings but the walk was very pleasant.

A group of horses appeared from nowhere and offered a photo opportunity as they partook of the fresh green growth.We heard and saw Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Dunnock, Kestrel, but the star was a displaying Tree Pipit and I just managed one half decent in flight shot.

On one of the tiny pools I took this photo and didn't realise until it was 'cropped' that there was some 'hanky panky' going on!
Finally, I managed to capture this female Broad Bodied libellula when it finally perched.