I saw lots of fantastic wildlife. Several experiences stand out: being surrounded by a blizzard of feeding Swifts on the Cuckmere as they flew within a few feet of me, watching half a dozen Gannets dive for food just of Birling Gap, listening to the impossibly sad calls of a pair of Whimbrel from the cliffs south of Crowlink, and being 'led' away from ten ducklings by an anxious Shelduck at the Cuckmere scrape.
Anyway, I have managed to select my top five Wildlife Wonders of Whitsun 2016.
#5
Wall Lizard, Holywell Eastbourne, Sunday 5th June.
I had read that this introduced species had reached Eastbourne. Saw two of these marvellous green Lizards basking in the morning sun.
#4
Male and female Bullfinches, Old Lodge Ashdown Forest, Wednesday 1St June.
Always exciting to see these shy birds. Lovely view just before a very heavy rain storm.
#3
A Badger in our garden, Hill Road Eastbourne, Wednesday 2nd June.
We were pretty confident the established track across the garden was a Badger track. Really thrilling to see one. It now feeds nightly at the backdoor, but if it feels the peanut ration is too small it trashes the bean plants.
#2
The Gull and Tern breeding colony, Rye Harbour, Saturday 4th June.
The sound and smell of this spectacle began before I was within sight of it, such is the incredible intensity of it. Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls with Common, Sandwich and Little Terns. Chicks everywhere and everything goes mad if an adult bird returns with a fish.
Common Terns
Black-headed Gull chicks
Sandwich Terns
#1
Crossbills, Old Lodge Ashdown Forest, Wednesday 1St June.
After many previous visits I finally managed to see these mythical, to me, birds. Vocal, gregarious little parrot like birds with the crazy crossed beak.
Female Crossbill
Male Crossbill
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