Wednesday 30th January 2008
Amberley - The Burgh - Amberley
7.8 miles
I really
needed to take my eyes away from my computer screen for a while, plus there had
been reports of a
Great Grey Shrike at Amberley, so I nicked off and went to see if I could
find it. We have been searching Ashdown forest in vain for 4 years now in the
hope of seeing the over-wintering shrike that stays there, so the thought of one
being within my grasp was too much to bear.
I got off the train and straight away I saw a kestrel across the road eating
something. Then, above the Sportsman pub were 2
buzzards, 2
peregrines and a
sparrowhawk. Wow! The shrike had been seen from the beer garden of the pub,
so I went in, ordered a cider and made my way to the garden. I lifted my
binoculars and there it was. Eureka! It was quite distant but beggars can't be
choosers.
With my main mission accomplished I set off to Rackham Hill and the Burgh hoping
to see some
short-eared owls and hen harriers. No owls again today, but one quick
sighting of a female
Hen Harrier, another peregrine, some
bramblings and lots more buzzards.
Even on the train home the birdwatching wasn't finished. Just as we were coming
into Pulborough station I saw a
barn owl flying along the river. What a day!
Kestrel eating its breakfast
Ok I know this is small, but it was a long way away. I
was just happy to see it, let alone get a good picture.
kestrel hovering
Up on Rackham Hill