Page 11 - Out Birding Autumn 2024

glands on their flanks.
We eventually to􏰀ed up 32 bird species for the day, although deciphering Sue’s dictat- ed phone records was a challenge. ‘Literally Regret’ turned out to be Li􏰀le Egret but we s􏰁ll don’t know what Winter Cross was!
Back at Sue and Eva’s, they somehow managed to pull out of the hat a magnificent meal for 14 including pulled pork (as a vegetarian, I s􏰁ll am not quite sure who has to pull what), smoky beans, flan, baked potatoes and salads followed by lemon tart and pavlova with ice cream and more cream. I hope you are saliva􏰁ng as you read – you really do need to come!
The day was not yet done. Sue and Eva have created a fabulous garden to look round, now occupied by a new inhabitant, Dennis the Tortoise, who was much admired. And then we had a quick jaunt out to the beach to see the Italian Wall Lizards, one of the UK’s best and longest-standing colonies of this rather colourful lizard that lives up to its name (they inhabit walls, eat pasta and are very passionate lovers.)
Thanks to all for a wonderful day – Carol, Sandra, Linda, Lee, Teena, Alan, Geoffrey, Mark, Simon, Peter x 2, and of course Sue, Eva and Dennis.
Adrian Thomas
Old Lodge Reserve, Ashdown Forest 23/06/24
Six GBC members set off to explore Old Lodge Reserve which is an area of lowland heathland and part of the Ashdown Forest. Carol Goulden led the event where we saw 32 bird species on a warm, bright June day. At the beginning of our walk, we had an expansive vista across the wooded hills of the Ashdown Forest and then followed a path with some steep dips and climbs. Apart from birds we stopped to look at various damselflies and dragonflies in the small ponds which were near our route.
Some of the highlights were seeing several raptors almost all at once: a Kestrel, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk and a li􏰀le later a Common Buzzard. We had clear views of a family of very ac􏰁ve Great Spo􏰀ed Woodpeckers where we could clearly see the bright red caps of the juveniles on top of their heads. Shortly a􏰂er hearing a dis􏰁nc- 􏰁ve ra􏰀le call, we found two Mistle Thrushes standing large and very upright as they searched for food on an area of grass. A ‘scope view of a male Siskin was much appre- ciated too. Then, for me, the spot of the day was a male Redstart very busy gathering food but had 􏰁me to sit out on a branch and a nearby fence to give us great views. We saw the bright white forehead and black throat in the sunshine as it showed its red/ orange front and flicked its rusty red tail. Carol found it in her scope which gave us even closer views.
The day ended with an unexpected tea and scones back at Norma and Kath’s home in Crowborough.
Joyce Huggins
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