Old Lodge Ashdown Forest April 20th 2013

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What started out to be a fairly quiet visit.... suddenly turned into one of the bets visits to this nature reserve. From the moment the Red Kite was spotted there were several opportunities to get some good photos...

Chiffchaff

Cuckoo

Red Kite

Male Common Redstart

Robin (I love that a Robin will usually come over to see who you are 

and announce that this is his or her territory.

Although some Holly.. Robins are not just for Christmas!

This photo shows the Robin a little 'spooked' as it spotted a larger bird flying overhead - 

(although it was only a pigeon - it could have been a predator)

Willow Warbler - not to be confused with a Chiffchaff

Nightingale and Chifchaff at Pulborough Brooks

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A visit to Pulborough Brooks yesterday and over 30 different birds sighted and wasn't including any waders from the vast amount of water - (vast due to the current 'flooding').

Two favourites from the visit in the afternoon and early evening were Nightingales and Chiffchaffs. Quite amazing really that these birds fly all the way to Africa for the winter and are now arriving back in the UK. The first thing they do is establish their territories and start to sing for a mate! It's a hard life!

A Nightingale in full song with a Chiffchaff below that and the bottom one the Nightingale...

Chiffchaff

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Chiffchaff


Family
Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

Description:
A small olive-brown warbler which actively flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. Less bright than the similar willow warbler and readily distinguished by its song, from where it gets its name. Picks insects from trees and also flies out to snap them up in flight.

Where to see them
Lowland woodlands, parks and large gardens.

When to see them
All year round, but most arrive in late March and depart in August and September.

What they eat
Insects.

The following confiding Chiffchaff was seen in Pagham Harbour during late October, 2010

Chiffchaff October 2010 Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve

Photo taken with Nikon D300S f5.6, 1/500th sec, ISO 200

Chiffchaff at Pagham Harbour 25th March 2011