Tuesday 4th February - West Dean

The forecast was for about 3 hours of dry weather before the next weather system would stream in. I opted for a quick visit to West Dean woods, which is a well know Winter site for Hawfinches, although my luck with these birds has been fairly intermittent here, as unless there is a general finch flock around the farms then they can be anywhere in the vast area of woodland and I would say in most Winters I need a few visits before striking lucky.

I parked up and walked towards Stapleash Farm, seeing Firecrest, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and Treecreeper on the way. The favoured tree for the  local Little Owl looked vacant and even though cloudy but dry, it was cold with a very strong wind which kept any birds out of sight. A Red Kite passed over the fields then a cronking Raven. I headed into the woods by the estate gates and a small bird flock held Great-Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit and Goldcrest. The further into the woods the quieter it became, with the only surprise when I flushed 2 Woodcocks. Retracing my steps back towards the car I re-checked the Little Owl tree and found him hunkered down around the back of the tree. Another Firecrest gave me the run around as I tried to take a picture, as they normally do. Acknowledging that the Hawfinches would wait for another day, I was glad to head home as the weather closed in.....again.

Little Owl in favoured tree

Firecrest hiding from the camera

always a tough bird to capture with the camera