Page 13 - Out Birding Winter 2023

discussing why they were there, we spo􏰀ed a couple of large brown birds chasing the terns: two juvenile Arc􏰁c Skuas! What a surprise. Lovely to watch Arc􏰁c, Sand- wich and Common Terns, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit and more going about their daily business. To do this in beau􏰁ful light, with good company and lots of laughs was such a treat. We then saw our first Osprey of the day. Fabulous views and lots of hovering, but alas no dives. Driving further inland, we went to a reliable spot for more Osprey, and were not let down. Three more, perched and flying. You could almost become blasé about them! Finishing at Blackdog to do some sea watching we saw a family of Stonechat on our way to the beach. From the cliffs we had lovely views of Eider and Common Scoter. A lovely end to a great day’s birding.
On Sunday we went to the Loch of Strathbeg. Andy and George went into the visitor centre/viewpoint first as I was faffing about. I entered only for Andy to be shou􏰁ng, “Quick, quick, o􏰀er, o􏰀er!” And there it was, no more than 30 feet away - fantas􏰁c. My first o􏰀er in about 12 years. Barely recovering from that excitement Andy spo􏰀ed a Short-eared Owl that entertained us for about 10 minutes as it flew above the rushes, flushing small birds and mammals. The Swallows gave it a hard 􏰁me though. The main item of conversa􏰁on however concerned areas that had previously been lagoons were now dry, or at least marshland. Other sigh􏰁ngs included Great White Egret, Buzzard, Tree Sparrow and Whooper Swan. I was also ridiculously proud of myself as I spo􏰀ed an unknown dragonfly and said to Andy, “Ooh, what’s that?” He beamed and said, “That’s a Black Darter and a lifer for me”. Bearing in mind that he has probably found me dozens of lifers, I felt it was a fair swap!
As the day came to a close, Andy gave a rarely visited site a try with a good pedigree for rare waders. This involved driving over sandy terrain, which we all agreed would be rather a good drag name! I have to say I felt like Joanna Lumley on one of her travel documentaries as my and George’s heads were tossed from side to side as Andy expertly manoeuvred around the huge dips and bumps. As we approached the lagoon, we all heard the familiar deep korrp, and there above us was a Raven. Alas, a lonely Greenshank was the only wader there.
A super end to a super weekend with 65 species, many of which were surprises. But as always, thanks to Andy and George for their generosity, friendship and the laughs. Richard
Cissbury in the Sunshine 02/09/2023
There were 15 of us for Mark and Simon’s annual Cissbury Ring shindig, with 14 of us ascending the challenging western face of this lofty Sussex peak. Mark gave us the historical background to set us on our way, and we soon had a Great Spotted Woodpecker to lure us ever higher into the thinner air and the blazing sunshine.
Once up on the ancient earthworks, we spent more time looking down than up. In all the years this trip has been running, we have never seen so many butterflies. The
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