[Misc] The Official NSC Bird Spotting Thread.

[BrightonCottager]

Is this in Sussex?
I have only seen Red Kites flying next to the M40, Hampshire and when I was in Gloucestershire last year.

I've seen red kites over the Chatri area.

When I last visited the Council recycling centre in Harefield, (not far from the M40 & @AmexRuislip ) there were 3 of them trying to scavenge on the refuse. They are so common up there no-one pays them much notice. They were very common scavengers in medieval times, apparently - our version of carrion vultures (but prettier).

 

[Professor Plum]

I don’t know anything about birds unfortunately (much as I like them) but what a delight to dip into this thread and see such knowledge and enthusiasm.

 

[MTSeagulls]

So when I get the chance I post photos of toucans, or giant macaws and parrots that eat from our papaya trees, because I never get bored of seeing them. Imagine my surprise when I saw plain old sparrows here in the tropics a couple of weeks ago.

 

[MJsGhost]

Is this in Sussex?
I have only seen Red Kites flying next to the M40, Hampshire and when I was in Gloucestershire last year.

Sure is. Not far from Lewes

 

[AmexRuislip]

I've seen red kites over the Chatri area.

When I last visited the Council recycling centre in Harefield, (not far from the M40 & @AmexRuislip ) there were 3 of them trying to scavenge on the refuse. They are so common up there no-one pays them much notice. They were very common scavengers in medieval times, apparently - our version of carrion vultures (but prettier).

I'm so glad you mentioned I live near and not in the tip

 

[Bry Nylon]

 

[Skuller]

I know it’s not a bird, but I had a hawk-moth feeding off my petunias yesterday. I just love their size and the way they hover (like a hummingbird) near a flower and unwind their long proboscis into the nectar.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Is this in Sussex?
I have only seen Red Kites flying next to the M40, Hampshire and when I was in Gloucestershire last year.

IIRC the Buzzards started to become common round Brighton/Sussex about 15 years ago. Previous to that I had a company in Swindon and would be there 2-3 times a month so watched them gradually work their way Eastwards from there.

I saw my first red kite over Ditchling Beacon about 3/4 years ago and now see one every fortnight or so around Brighton. Prior to that always saw loads at the beginning of the M40 around High Wycombe.

 

[chip]

Lots of red kites around this way. I often see them from the A27 between chi and Havant. Lots of carrion to be found I guess. Must have been around for at least 10 years but can't remeber when I first saw them. The look majestic from Harting Down.

 

[AmexRuislip]

I've seen red kites over the Chatri area.

When I last visited the Council recycling centre in Harefield, (not far from the M40 & @AmexRuislip ) there were 3 of them trying to scavenge on the refuse. They are so common up there no-one pays them much notice. They were very common scavengers in medieval times, apparently - our version of carrion vultures (but prettier).

IIRC the Buzzards started to become common round Brighton/Sussex about 15 years ago. Previous to that I had a company in Swindon and would be there 2-3 times a month so watched them gradually work their way Eastwards from there.

I saw my first red kite over Ditchling Beacon about 3/4 years ago and now see one every fortnight or so around Brighton. Prior to that always saw loads at the beginning of the M40 around High Wycombe.

Yep the Red Kites are a common site around here nowadays.
Locally they're gliding on the thermals over our allotment getting bombed by crows and magpies.
On our travels around the area, we've seen Red Kites over Cliveden, Marlow, Amersham and even up as far as Blenheim Palace.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

Lots of red kites around this way. I often see them from the A27 between chi and Havant. Lots of carrion to be found I guess. Must have been around for at least 10 years but can't remeber when I first saw them. The look majestic from Harting Down.

There was a programme to release them at Chilgrove a number of years ago. My cousin used to live at Compton, and she used to see them every day. We are now getting the odd red kite here near Sharpthorne, though they are not as regular as the buzzards.

 

[chip]

There was a programme to release them at Chilgrove a number of years ago. My cousin used to live at Compton, and she used to see them every day. We are now getting the odd red kite here near Sharpthorne, though they are not as regular as the buzzards.

Thank you, that explains everything! I know that the wildlife trust has a couple of sites on the West Dean Estate near Chilgrove, maybe something to do with it? Great that they are spreading across the downs and sharing the joy

 

[maresfield seagull]

I always hear them before I see them.

Much like Kingfisher s

Is this in Sussex?
I have only seen Red Kites flying next to the M40, Hampshire and when I was in Gloucestershire last year.

Red Kite spotted at Piddinghoe pond earlier this year impersonating an Osprey
iirc a few pair s were released in the Lewes area a few years ago

 

[BN9 BHA]

Much like Kingfisher s

Red Kite spotted at Piddinghoe pond earlier this year impersonating an Osprey
iirc a few pair s were released in the Lewes area a few years ago

Wow!
I live not far from the pond and often walk along the river bank with my dog, also walk near Southease, never seen one.

Last year in October I regularly saw Kingfishers along the river between Piddinghoe and Rodmell.

 

[Dun Lurkin]

Driving down the A24 today near Dial Post a skein of geese in a lovely V formation flew over. Never seen this in Sussex before. (Probably always in the wrong place). I assume they were heading for one of the lakes at Knepp.

 

[Worried Man Blues]

So when I get the chance I post photos of toucans, or giant macaws and parrots that eat from our papaya trees, because I never get bored of seeing them. Imagine my surprise when I saw plain old sparrows here in the tropics a couple of weeks ago.

Sparrows always sound more exotic when you call them Weaver Finches, I've caught a few neighbours out with that!

 

[Albion my Albion]

I'm finally starting to see some Seagulls lately.

 

[dazzer6666]

Wow!
I live not far from the pond and often walk along the river bank with my dog, also walk near Southease, never seen one.

Last year in October I regularly saw Kingfishers along the river between Piddinghoe and Rodmell.

Seen Kites a few times towards/around Firle Beacon so might be worth diverting up the hill rather than along the river Seeing them very regularly in mid Sussex now - not quite daily but certainly every week (for example yesterday saw one above Bedelands, and another in Horsted Keynes and one near the Chattri on Saturday).

Kingfishers seem to have dramatically increased in number the last few years - I fish 2-3 times a week locally and it’s actually rare not to see one or more during a session these days. We had one zipping around the lake yesterday, and a pair working the river we were on Sunday.

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[BN9 BHA]

I’m in Suffolk this week and went for a walk on a very overgrown footpath next to the River Blyth, saw a Kingfisher, never get bored of seeing these.
A Heron flew out of the reeds right in front of us, also saw a Buzzard, Sparrow Hawk, Kestrel and some Swifts.
Unfortunately haven’t seen a Red Kite in this area.

 

[Sirnormangall]

Fairly sure we saw a Red Kite over Mill Hill Shoreham today