June 29th (Holborough marsh)

Turtle Dove

As far as I know,so far this summer at New Hythe.There has been no sightings of Turtle Doves.So this morning at Holborough marsh,I was particularly pleased to hear,not one,but two purring birds.

Singles of Oystercatcher and Shelduck,were the only other species of note that I saw.

June 24th (Ashdown Forest

Woodlark (juvenile)

Bright and warm (07:30 - 11:30).Old lodge and Gills Lap.

Although I made frequent visits to Gills Lap this morning.As far as I know,the Short toed eagle didn`t put in an appearance.

Common Buzzard

Redstart (juvenile)

June 21st (More from Ashdown forest)

Bright and warm (0730 - 1130) Gills Lap

Short-toed eagle

Stonechat (male and juvenile)

June 18th (Ashdown Forest)

S T Eagle

I made an early start this morning,hopefully to see the S T Eagle still in its roosting tree (long car park).I arrived at 7.am,only to be told that some fool with a camera at flushed the bird at 6:15 - -  - BLOODY MARVELLOUS !.
I stayed around for a about forty five minutes and was just about to leave and try my luck at Gills Lap,when it was spotted over towards the south (see photos). I only wish I had been around yesterday (see Terry Laws Photos).

After I had seen the eagle in the long car park area.I moved across the forest to the Gills Lap where I missed seeing the eagle again by just ten minutes.

I made my way back home around mid day.The eagle apparently showed up again later during the afternoon.

Stonechats

June 14th (Cliffe)

B W Stilt (female)

June 13th (Garden)

Hummingbird hawk moth (garden),first for the year.

June 2nd (BITS AND PIECES)

May 28th - 2 Med gulls passed high over the garden south.(1100).

May 31st - nice bright day,warm - I had 6 Common Buzzards in the air together over Birling.

May 22nd - received from the BTO details of a Nightingale I controlled in Leybourne Country Park on April 15th 2014.

L563452  ringed Sept 10th, 2010,at Icklesham,Sussex,w.t 24.1g,wing 82.0 mm,6am..

Controlled April 15th,Leybourne Country Park,(on territory).Unfortunately the bird got away before I had the chance to sex it and take its weight.( with a wing of 82.0 mm),this points it more to being a female,although I have caught males with wings of 83 mm.When they are further into the breeding season you can sex females (on brood patch) and males on cloacal protuberance).

When it was ringed at Icklesham (on the coast,6am),shows the bird was probably leaving Britain via the south coast and with a weight of 24.1g,it had some fat reserves and was most likely on active migration.