Old Lodge

Margie and I were up early again today, I think the threat of being named and shamed on here is motivating her to get out of bed early to be honest, an unexpected benefit of blogging!! We left the house in bright sunshine and therefore were surprised to find Ashdown Forest covered in mist which got thicker as we arrived at our destination, it was pretty chilly when we got out of the car so the Cardy/Fleece debate lasted a bit longer than usual but eventually I decided on a coat! Nice to hear my first Willow Warbler of the year as I put me boots on!
We set off around the circuit could hear a Tree Pipit in the mist, first of several for the walk, plenty of other stuff calling  but difficult to pick anything out, although Margie had fun taking pics of the Cobwebs! We heard two maybe more  very active Cuckoos though getting a pic from the brief glimpses we had was pretty much impossible.

Misty Start (by Margie)

Spooky

Tree Pipit in the Mist

Cobweb (by Margie)

Sun trying it's best (by Margie)

The Sun slowly began to work it's magic and the mist started to clear, as it warmed up the birds became more active, we encountered our first Stonechat family of the walk , the first of four we found most had at least three young looks like they have had a good year so far!!

Proud Dad Stonechat

Young Stonechat

Young Stonechat

Margie found some Orchids to photograph though they don't seem to be fully out yet, no idea what sort maybe Common Spotted

Orchid (by Margie)

As we progressed a couple of birds flushed up from next to the path, but soon settled a quick look through the bins confirmed them as a couple of young Woodlark, no sign of any adults presumably working on the next batch. The first Common Redstart of the day at this point as well but too quick for pics.

Young Woodlark

We had entered a more Heathery area now and about a 100 yards in another bird flushed from right next to the path, no need for the bins to ID this, a very indignant Dartford Warbler which gave us a right telling off  flying to the tops of various clumps of heather and scolding us ferociously ,which was handy from a photographic point of views!! Another bird called from some distance away and he disappeared in the direction of call presumably the missus telling him to stop showing off!!

Dartford Warbler

We continued on our way , had tantalising glimpses of Redstarts one of which was just about to pose for a photo when he was attacked by a Stonechat ,denied!! A decent flock of Crossbills,20 or so, went over chupping away and i managed to snatch a few flight shots, though we saw the flock a couple of times on our walk  they never landed in view! There was a nice clump of Foxgloves in this area.

Foxgloves (by Margie)

Crossbills in flight

As we neared the end of our walk ,while Margie took some pics of the scenery, in a last desperate attempt to get a decent view of a Redstart I checked out an area where i saw them last year, success the Male posed ok though couldn't get a decent pic of his Mrs !!

Common Redstart

Scenery (by Margie)

More Scenery (by Margie)

 

Cotton Grass I think (by Margie)

Rabbit ( Margie insisted I take a pic of it!!)

So a very nice walk with some quality birds after a slow start, the Car Park was full by the time we left and we were home by 9.30!! All pics by me unless stated ,all pics were taken from the main paths and no birds were deliberately disturbed although the Dartford was a nutter!! The location is a well known reserve for the species mentioned and I have been deliberately vague about specific locations of the rarer birds .