Where snipe swim
Tuesday's private Sussex Guided Bird Walk with Jennifer started with the sounds of Greenfinch and Nuthatch as we headed out from the visitor centre. Plenty of Blue Tits and Great Tits worked their way through the hedgerows, along with a couple of Coal Tits and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, which started drumming after it flew out of sight. The first Song Thrush of the day sang softly on the other side of the track.
We paused near the crossroads in hope of Bullfinches in the blackthorn, and that's exactly what showed up! A female was quietly feeding on buds just a few feet from us, and it wasn't long before more movement revealed a bright male just above her, and another female nearby. A real treat!
As we turned towards the first hide, a strikingly pale Buzzard flew over the fields. The hide itself was very productive, offering views of a feeding Snipe and plenty of Pintail, Teal and Wigeon, as well as more distant Shelduck and Shoveler. A Skylark started singing, even in the drizzly conditions.
