I fancied a change today. The thought of a day being spent on the North Downs didn't power up my ornithological enthusiasm, so I considered the areas that are adjacent to the uberpatch, looking for inspiration. Out came the trusty OS map, unfolded as far as it would go, hardly manageable yet strangely satisfying and absorbing - you can really lose yourself in the intricacies printed before you, following the contour lines with your finger, taking in the place names, deciphering the symbols - rituals that have been undertaken for many years by those who stride out across the land, something that loses its warmth and connection if you choose to stare at a phone screen instead. Old school. And there it was, my inspiration. Burstow Park Farm. Served by several footpaths that cross the farmland between Bransland Wood and Outwood Common. I hadn't just plucked the location out of the air though. A few years ago my very good friend Gordon Hay had located a wintering flock of Yellowhammers that numbered into three figures. I had for some time promised myself to go and have a look and today was that day.
Once parked up at Bransland Wood I struck out south-westwards on foot, soon onto the open farmland, characterised by large fields bordered by thin hedgerows with plenty of sentinel like mature trees, spaced out and resembling parkland. The geology of the soil is Wealden Clay, so the ground underfoot was unsurprisingly wet and claggy throughout, with attempted drainage being carried out by plenty of ditches and streams, a number of small ponds holding water. One field boasted a large flash of standing water, and if this persists or is recreated in the spring it will be enough to entice passage waders, as habitat like this has successfully done so on nearby farmland.
It was pleasing to see so many areas that were wildlife friendly. Set-aside, game cover crops, call them what you will, the seeds that are produced by them can attract good numbers of passerines along with any game birds that might have been released. I saw five partridges flying away from me that I would put money on being Grey, a species that has been released here in the past. It is sad to note that truly wild Grey Partridges are a thing of the past in the county. Most of this deliberately planted wildlife-friendly vegetation was a mix of brassica, crucifer, sunflowers and various other species. There were game bird bins (which appeared empty) and a number of homemade large wild bird feeders that were suspended in hedgerows and were doing a roaring trade with tits, House Sparrows and Goldfinches. All seemed to be stocked. As I headed south the elevation increased giving me a fine view back over the ground that I had covered. I was able to cover most of the farm by footpath, although some of them required not just a good pair of wellington boots but a fine sense of balance. The picture below doesn't do justice to the assault cause set before me. Where the tree branches have been laid in the mud at the gap in the hedge, the gloop was calf deep, followed by a steep fall (and rise) across a deeply cut stream.
What of the birds? I was going to be too late for any winter flocks I feared, and so it proved. 10+ Skylarks were in song, no congregations to be seen. Only two Yellowhammers could be found, but 50 Linnets were still together, haunting the light stubble on one of the top fields. Other finches present were confined to small numbers of Chaffinch and Goldfinch. 80 Fieldfare were faithful to a run of trees throughout my time on site. I came across a sign as I entered one particular field alerting me to the presence of ground nesting birds. On its far side was an area of ploughed, bare earth on which 12 Lapwings were settled, delightfully being accompanied by two Golden Plover (a good county bird). The low cloud, persistent drizzle and blustery south-westerly wind was not the best weather for raptors, so a count of three Red Kite and three Common Buzzard was better than expected - in yesterday's blue sky and warmth there must have been good counts of both to be had.
My visit hadn't been overly blessed with birds but I'm sure that it can be rewarding (as Gordon can confirm). There is so much of this type of habitat south of the chalk, the weald largely undisturbed by birders. Wes Attridge at Capel is testament to what can be found with a bit of time and effort; plus the area east of Holmwood Common has benefitted from a bit of coverage in recent years, but all this being done by just a few birders. But sometimes that's how we like it - space in which to lose yourself and chill out. Apart from a couple of dog walkers close to the car I didn't see a single person in the three hours that I was present.
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