Parrot Crossbills

Photographic opportunities have been pretty scarce of late, not for the want of trying I hasten to add. Several trips to our local haunts around Pagham Harbour have been less rewarding than usual, Cissbury Ring, normally a banker for a Ring Ouzel was almost devoid of birds on at least two visits. So, when the chance to record some really photogenic Parrot Crossbills arose it was a no brainer. The venue, Swinley Forest just north east of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst at a site with the quaint name of Wishmoor Bottom.


No apologies for the amount of photographs - I haven't managed to blog for some ten weeks so I have an itch to scratch.

Medmerry gave us some great views of a juvenile Glossy Ibis.

A Grey Plover and a rather shy Common Sandpiper in Pagham Harbour were recorded in desperation.

Finally not a bird but the aptly named Dog's Vomit Slime Mould found on the top of Cissbury

Ring Ouzels

Following Dorian and Bernie's post on SOS we knew it was time to make another of our annual pilgrimages - this time to the "Yewsual Place".  The large Yew tree on the north west side of Cissbury Ring, thank you to all those who cared enough to give up their time so that his tree could be saved from the actions of a mad "gardener".  This year, this fine example of Taxus baccata is covered in bright red fruits - very poisonous to humans but a delight for Ring Ouzels, Mistle Thrushes and Song Thrushes. When we arrived I flushed a female Ring Ouzel down the hill but she paused just long enough for a positive ID, later a large male left the tree and disappeared into the scrub further round the hill, its distinctive flight giving the ID. We were then joined by Josh,  who generously shared his scope with us, thanks Josh. Carrying camera, lenses and bins is a sufficient load for me, when travelling uphill the scope has to stay behind.

With things being a tad quiet we made our way to the rifle butts and it wasn't long before we were in business, at least two birds - maybe more, their "chacks" giving them away, Sadly they were quite flighty but at least they perched long enough for some decent record shots.

A final visit to the Yew Tree gave no more sightings. On the way over I stumbled across a magnificent specimen of the Parasol Mushroom, Macrolepiota procera, a basidiomycete fungus with a large, prominent fruiting body resembling a parasol. It is a fairly common species  on Cissbury Ring but this year only one specimen found.  Whilst photographing the mushroom I realised that the shot gave no idea of scale so I placed my Swiss Army Knife on top and I can tell you that it is about 9cm in length.

 

Whinchats

I seem to be chasing birds at the moment, following a disastrous day in East Sussex  I took an early morning trip to the dip in the Monarch's Way, just north of Cissbury Ring. On SOS there had been reports of double figures of Whinchats present. I have seen Whinchats here before but due to the poor results of the previous two days my expectations were low. Anyway, as I ambled down towards the dip I was delighted to find the birds as reported. Overnight a stiff northerly breeze had developed and I think this was making the birds flighty. I tried stalking them and sitting in ambush, neither method worked, oddly enough the usually obliging Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails were behaving in a similar manner. In the end all I could manage were shots from distance.

The ubiquitous post sitting Wheatear

A quick reconnoitre of the eastern side of Cissbury revealed similar conditions, apart from a large flock of Wilchiffs and a few well spread Redstarts and Whitethroats there was nothing moving. With the wind moving round to the east I expected the sheltered Rifle Butts to deliver, yet again very little to be seen.

The previous day Martin and I had visited Seaford Head, Shooter's Bottom and Belle Tout and they were virtually devoid of birds. Reports on SOS suggested that large numbers of birds were present. Yes, you have guessed it, "should have been here yesterday", no doubt large numbers of migrants decamped across the Channel overnight leaving just a few tardy Whitethroats and Redstarts. Nice to meet David Buckingham, always good to put a face to a name, David regularly posts about Beeding Brooks on SOS. Looking forward to seeing his future photographs.

Happy Returns

Today I finally qualified as an OAP, not a milestone, more a bump in the road. My good lady had promised to take me out for a pub lunch but a bit of a disaster over the weekend with a molar crown meant an urgent visit to the "Fang Farrier".  So by mid morning I had been patched up with a temporary repair along with copious amounts of  gum numbing injections. A pub lunch was out of the question so I was given leave to go birding. Over a cup of coffee, most of which dribbled on to the latest copy of "Bird Watching" I decided to have a bash at the Ring Ouzels on Cissbury Ring.

I must tell my 4 readers that on my 38th Birthday I ran up the Rock of Gibraltar in 38 minutes, some may think that a pedestrian pace but I must clarify that I stopped for a pint half way up. So on my 65th birthday I crawled up Cissbury Ring, how long it took I am not sure but I did pause several times before the summit and only drank water.

I was searching for the "Yewsual place" or  the Yew tree where all the Ring Ouzel action was reportedly taking place. As always I was just a day too late, the vicious westerly had put everything into hiding, nary a bird to be seen. After a pause of 20 minutes I decided to make my way, slowly, to the Rifle Butts, which in the end was a good decision. Looking down on to the butts I could make out the familiar figure of Martin peering through his trusty Canon 500mm, sure enough a Ring Ouzel was present. In my haste to descend to his position I forgot that wet chalk is as slippery as ice and went base over apex, thank goodness neither my camera or lens sustained damage, I however, collected numerous bruises and some strained joints - obviously not a Spring Chicken any more.

Anyway, distant views of the bird and a year tick - most satisfactory. On the photographic front a most obliging and good looking Red-legged Partridge that we had photographed over a month ago was still in residence and incredibly allowing an approach to about 15 feet, talk about confiding, this bird just didn't see humans as a threat. It probably realises that life expectancy outside the National Trust property is very short at this time of year.

 



Cissbury Ring

An early start with the intention of finding and photographing the Whinchats that have been reported on the Monarch's Way just north of Cissbury Ring. Things didn't bode well, as I got out of the car I was hit by a very brisk and chilly northeaster.  Not daunted I lugged the camera to the appointed spot and there were the two  Whinchats, both promptly departed from the fence to the game strip as I mounted the camera. Things were not helped by the Game Conservancy doing a Partridge count, albeit from the comfort of a 4x4 being driven round the edges of every field.  Recognising a lost cause I decided to withdraw to the shelter of Cissbury and proceeded to the Rifle Butts. On the  way there were plenty of post sitting Wheatears, even a few reluctant to move from the shelter of the bushes.



Pole squatters everywhere



 

 

As soon as I dropped out of the wind the change was amazing - birds everywhere. Loads of Wilchiffs, Common Redstarts, Whitethroats and Spotted Flycatchers. I set up on the rim of the Butts and I was soon joined by an obliging Red Legged Partridge that sat in front of me calmly preening and then feeding quite unconcerned despite my requests for him to pose with the sun in front rather than behind.




Red-legged Partridge



A "Frenchman"

It's amazing what turns up if you just sit quietly and wait, two deer  moved through the scrub, albeit at a distance, they knew I was there but didn't consider me a threat, all tranquil until the dogwalkers turned up and then they were off. Down the range there were probably three juvenile Sparrowhawks terrorising the neighbourhood, first glimpse was one chasing a Green Woodpecker then another arguing with the Magpies. A fellow birder and myself relocated to get better views but the birds decided that the golf course had fewer Magpies.

 

 

We like each other




We don't

 

Usual suspect



Usual suspect



Usual suspect

Yet again my enjoyment has been marred by a party of "Naturalists", I hasten to add not Naturists. This time a group of butterfly watchers. What makes a rational person, on seeing a camera and large lens walk up to you and say "What are you photographing then?????"  my reply today was "Nothing now you are standing in front of my lens"