Page 12 - Out Birding Winter 2023

seeing. Warblers were very thin on the ground but a Chiffchaff joined us for lunch and Deb heard a Whitethroat on the approach to a hide.
Pam, Kerry, Deb and Kahn joined me for this relaxed event with an early finish to avoid the forecast thunderstorms.
Pat
GBC Friston Forest and Gallops 12/08/2023
This was the first GBC visit to Friston Forest and Gallops, essentially to look for the butterfly species of the chalk downlands and woodland rides. The forest, managed by Forestry England, consists of mature beech and sycamore trees planted from the 1920’s onwards to protect the chalk aquifer which supplies Eastbourne. It is on the eastern slopes of the beautiful Cuckmere Valley.
With a changeable weather forecast, I was unsure what we would find and if it would stay dry for the butterflies. Our luck held for the morning as we slowly walked through part of the Forest to the slopes of the chalk downlands known as “The Gallops”. An early sighting of a Wall Brown butterfly raised hopes and we soon saw many Common and Chalkhill Blues on the slopes. Sadly no Adonis Blues which had festooned the slopes last year on a recce – possibly we were between broods. The grassland also yielded sightings of Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Brown Argus, Ringlet, Small Heath and Small/Essex Skipper.
We stopped for a picnic lunch on the upper slopes and soon a short shower sent us to shelter under the trees. Nothing daunted, we explored woodland rides and edges adding Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock, Large White, Silver Wash Fritillary and many Gatekeepers to our list which totalled 15 species.
On the bird front, my highlights were Green Woodpecker, Linnet and Raven heard “cronking” overhead. Although Raven are becoming more frequent in Sussex, I still enjoy the sound of them calling. Very few dragonflies were seen but Migrant Hawker, Common and Ruddy Darter did make an appearance.
Carol Goulden
Ythan Estuary and Blackdog 26/08/2023
For me, one of the joys of the GBC is the enduring friendships I have made. Yes, I’ve seen birds I never would have, and learned much from people with greater knowledge than me, but it’s the friendships that remain. So, in a now well rehearsed rou􏰀ne, I arrived at Andy and George’s on Friday evening to a pair of big bosies, a larger G&T, George’s legendary Chicken Myer, a blether and an􏰀cipa􏰀on for the weekend ahead.
As always, it didn’t disappoint. Before talking about the birding, it was phenomenal to see dozens of Red Admiral building themselves up on Andy’s buddleia for their return migra􏰀on.
We arrived at the mouth of the Ythan Estuary at 10am and were immediately greeted by an unusual sight. At least 150 Guillemots and Razorbills so far inland. While
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