Saturday, 11 January 2025

Snow, Wilmington Hill

 Strange weather meant that Beachy Head had no snow, while six miles inland, Wilmington Hill had a good few inches. Looking north, the snow-free Low Weald disappeared into cold weather smog, while the north-edge of the South Downs was still white, as it stretched off west.












Cold Weather


 

Saturday, 4 January 2025

Great Tit, Jevington Plantation

A cold morning, with ice crystals 'growing' out of any bare chalk on the path. Standing still and listening for some distant Firecrests, I became aware of knocking sounds coming from the trees. My assumption that it was feeding woodpeckers proved incorrect, when I saw that it was Great Tits, feeding on something and tapping it on the trees.

 

Friday, 3 January 2025

Sun rise, Hill Road


 

Pett Level

A classic Winter's day at Pett Level, with a cold wind. High tide meant the birds were concentrated in the fields. Good numbers of Lapwing, a few Curlew and some Lesser (Russian) White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese and a Black-necked Grebe.



Kestrel

Shoveler

Female Pochard




Curlew


Lapwing

Record shots:


Black-necked Grebe
 
Three Lesser White-fronted Geese, with two Greylags

Cold morning, Hill Road

 


Thursday, 2 January 2025

Pevensey Levels





 A drive into the levels at this time of year can be rewarded with the spectacle of hunting Short-eared Owls. No luck this time, but Great White Egret, Peregrine, two Marsh Harriers, Lapwing and Cormorant were more than a consolation. 

The big skies and the remoteness of the landscape were the real treasure.

Record shots:

Great White Egret
Peregrine