Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest - 0730-1300 hrs - warm, dry, cloudy - I was so impressed with our trip to the Ashdown last week that when Mrs PT asked, "how about a good walk in the woods", I suggested a birding walk in the forest, especially as she offered to drive, and I could sense a potential article or two. So, we were up with the Blackbird and away north-west and walking a circular route across the heath while there was still plenty of bird song and before the heat set in.
The most obvious bird was Stonechat with family parties all over the place, closely followed by Linnets and singing Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat. The first quality bird came in the form of a single Woodlark, the only one we noted, followed by two Redstarts, four Tree Pipits and a single Dartford Warbler over the course of three hours. Other notables included Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Cuckoo, Buzzard, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Long-tailed and Coal Tits, Goldcrest, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Yellowhammer.
After a brew back at the car we checked out three other locations around the forest before heading home to the Marsh. As far as I`m aware the eagle was not seen this morning, although there was only a handful of birders at the Gills Lap watch point.

                                Heathland, Gills Lap

                                Barney

                                Speckled Wood

Stonechat