Do you like Coal Tits? Then Beckley Woods is the place for you. There are also lots of Great & Blue, and quite a few Marsh and Long-tailed, Tits. And loads of Robins. But apart from that, the interest comes mainly from mammals. That is, Wild Boar, or rather Feral Boar, which are in evidence everywhere, in paths minced to mire and hedgebanks scarified by dainty pigfeet, big muddy wallows and fences bearing boar-shaped holes, Desperate Dan fashion.
Some nice specimens of Silver-leaf fungi (Chondrostereum purpurem) are present on the Gorse bushes along the footpath south of the hide. The lilac to purplish colouring when fresh is rather striking.
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Highlights from Castle Water this morning included: Marsh Harrier, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, 2 Smew and 500+ Lapwing. From the viewpoint several Bearded Tit were calling in the reeds and a Kingfisher gave good views perched in the nearby willows.
We saw one Green Sandpiper, fair numbers of Lapwing, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal and Wigeon on the flooded areas. Several Stonechats were seen. Kelvin heard a Snipe, but we did not see it. We also saw a good number of Common Buzzard - we reckon at least 5, but possibly more. Some other birdwatchers we met said they had also seen a Peregrine in the valley.
Michael Prince
Five common lizards were seen out sun basking during a volunteer task day yesterday at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve.
Common lizard.
Photo and sighting sent from Martin Usher.
