Wykeham Forest Wildlife!

Wykeham Forest Wildlife!

We arrived at a site just outside of Wykeham Forest in hopes of seeing Turtle Doves. As soon as we arrived, we were  treated to an abundance of activity. Initially we noticed five Yellowhammers feeding and showing very well, including what looked to be a few fledglings.

Suddenly, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew in and started feeding in a tree just opposite us. There appeared to be one juvenile and one adult bird. Although not uncommon, I have not had many views of this majestic bird this year.

I then got out of the car (which we were using as a hide) and started looking in and around the bushes, spotting a few Nuthatches, as well as both adult and young Great Tits and Blue Tits.

I then spotted five Tree Sparrows, including at least three young, all perfectly perched on one branch. I didn't expect to see them here, so it was nice to find five of them! I also got a brief view of a Marsh/Willow Tit, however I didn't get to see it long enough to get a definitive ID.

Soon after, one of my favourite corvids flew in and landed right next to me. It was a Jay. This one gave superb views, feeding and showing off its beautiful patch of blue on the wing. While watching the Jay, both a Stock Dove and a Collared Dove came down to feed. There was also a few Woodpigeons in an adjacent field and a few Feral Pigeons in the farm near to where we were viewing. All we needed now was a Turtle Dove to finish off a perfect morning.  

Suddenly, a dove flew in and landed on the wires above us. At first, I thought it was a Collared Dove, but then it showed its brown back. It was a wonderful Turtle Dove! I had only ever seen Turtle Dove once before, two years ago, in the same location. So it was great to see that they were still here. We watched it for a bit, before it flew off and out of view. We then made our way to the famous Raptor Viewpoint.

We arrived at Raptor Viewpoint at around 10:30pm, and the first thing we spotted from the car park, was a fly which I had wanted to see for a while, a scorpionfly! I took a picture and it was soon identified by an expert as a German Scorpionfly. 

Once at the viewpoint, we met John Hague and a few other birders. We started scanning the ridgeline, spotting a few Common Buzzards as well as two Ravens. Suddenly, one of the birders pointed out a raptor and John identified it as a Honey Buzzard! I immediately got on it as it soared with a Common Buzzard. Although it was distant, the flat, long wings and sticking out head was distinctive. I watched as it flew behind the treeline and out of view. One of the birders then pointed out a Goshawk flying right above us, giving incredible views. We also spotted a few displaying Siskins, five flyover Crossbills and a single male Bullfinch. A kind birder then told us of a place nearby where we could get much closer views of Goshawk, so we began to head there. As we were leaving, I found a few Common Spotted Orchids.

Once we got to the target location, we were immediately rewarded by two Goshawks showing amazingly well as they flew past, showing their beautiful plumage before disappearing behind the trees. We waited for a while, spotting many Whitethroats, including one carrying food. I then noticed a moth that I had wanted to see for a while, it was a Nettle-tap Moth. I spotted at least three in the scrub around me, including one posing right in front of me. 

We then went to Troutsdale for Dipper and Redstart. As soon as we arrived, we heard a Garden Warbler singing in a tree right above us, yet we failed to see it. I also noticed a day-flying moth which I had only seen briefly, once before, a Chimney Sweeper. I had wanted to see one properly for ages, so I was very happy to find them here. We also spotted a Rivulet Moth, an Orange-tailed Mining Bee and a Beautiful Demoiselle, but sadly no Dipper.

We then went to a site nearby which John had told us about for Little Owl. As soon as we arrived, I spotted the Little Owl sat up on a wall, before then flying into a tree. Once it was in the tree, it gave outstanding views, staring right at us with its huge eyes. I had only seen a Little Owl once before, so it was great to see this one. We also spotted a Kestrel, putting the raptor list on 5 for the day (including the Little Owl). As it was turning dark, we reluctantly left and set off to look for Nightjar.

We then arrived at a site which John had told us about for Nightjar. As soon as we arrived, we met two birders from earlier, also looking for Nightjar. We waited for around an hour when suddenly it all started to kick off. We spotted at least 12 Woodcock roding and chasing each other, giving amazing views at times. The weather was horrible for Nightjars though, we couldn't hear any and it was spitting rain and very windy. Surprisingly, I did manage to briefly spot a Nightjar as it flew out of the foliage and across the road. As it turned darker, the weather only got worse, so we called it a day and headed home.

Overall, a great day seeing all of our main bird targets and seeing many new invertebrates.