Ouse Valley, Tuesday

A good selection of birds between Southease and Lewes a couple of days ago (reported by Jeremy Patterson, via SOS sightings):
Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff heard at Southease. Passerine flock still evident at Rodmell with good numbers of Corn and Reed Buntings and Sky Larks. Male and female Merlin there with up to 4 Common Buzzards, [...]

Still Plenty at Rodmell

Lots of the good stuff still at Rodmell this afternoon, in a biting easterly.
First up, a Buzzard, a Mistle Thrush and a few Fieldfares around the car park at Monk’s House, then a pair of Peregrines chasing down (but failing to catch) an unidentified wader – the female bird was later seen making off [...]

Rodmell Brooks

As well as the numerous flocks of buntings and  skylarks that have maintained good numbers over the cold snap,there was the welcome return sighting of the male Merlin this afternoon.Also of note a  small flock of about 30 Golden Plovers flew over west to east.

Rodmell Brooks

3.pm. – 4p.m. A quiet overcast afternoon, very atmospheric, was lightened by the ever expanding flock of buntings around the stubble fields. Over 120 Corn Buntings in a mixed flock of 200+ birds,that were constantly being disturbed by a Kestrel and female  Merlin (the first I have seen of this bird for over a week). [...]

Rodmell Brooks

Late afternoon over a very cold and dreary brooks – 1 Common Buzzard sitting as usual on the telegraph poles leading northwest,60+ Corn Bunting,Yellow  Hammer,Reed Bunting,Linnet,Redwing and Stonechat around the stubble field and the male Merlin moving over the area northof the path.

Ouse estuary and Rodmell levels

The 4 Bearded Tits (2 m. 2 f.) were still showing fom the screen on the Ouse estuary project – plus 2 Merlin (1 m. 1 f.) on Rodmell levels ,but no sign of the Hen harrier that was reported yesterday.

Hen Harrier @ Bo Peep 27.11.08

“This afternoon in the valley south of Bo Peep at least 3 Common Buzzards, possibly 5, a probable Merlin chasing the Finches and a superb ringtail Hen Harrier over the maize.” (Bob Eade, via SOS site)

Merlin at Lewes Brooks

From David Williams, via SOS sightings:
Around noon walk from Rodmell in beautiful sunshine – a Grey Wagtail flew from the ditch near the carpark and a Sparrowhawk, a few Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were seen outward to the reedbed near the R. Ouse where there were 7+ Reed Buntings and a Stonechat.
Returning, my thanks [...]

Merlin, Peregrine, Ring Ouzel + poss Goshawk

Report for Sunday 9 November from Peter Davies:
A large, buzzard-sized raptor disappeared elegantly off the edge of Lullington Heath into Friston Forest, suggesting female Goshawk.
Previously a Merlin failed to take a skylark north of the heath, and a male Peregrine gave two close sightings near Littlington.
A Ring Ouzel was present in Charleston Bottom feeding on [...]