Monday 12 April 2021

White-throated Sparrow, Barcombe Cross

It's been almost six months since my last twitch,  a Masked Shrike at Shuart in Kent. Today I cracked and at 4.45am this morning headed for Barcombe Cross in East Sussex. A White-throated Sparrow had been in the area since February but due to covid guidelines and the fact that it was frequenting a private garden news was understandingly suppressed. When the bird moved to an open recreation area near an allotment news and location were made available.

It's been over a year since we shared a car with Brian and as he had made the trip on Saturday he was able to provide detailed travel and on-site directions. Arriving at 6.30 it was over an hour before the Sparrow appeared. That anxious nervous wait of not knowing if the bird had decided to move on overnight or not was over. A brief appearance in the tree by the picnic table was followed by several trips to the table and the decking where small amounts of seed had been placed.


White-throated Sparrow



A Little Bunting had been present at Warnham Local Nature Reserve since early March and had already been reported today while I was watching the Sparrow. The reserve was on the same route as the return journey home and a quick visit was rewarded with superb views of the bird.


Little bunting






Warnham Reserve Centre and hide


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