Woolbeding Common 26/07/24

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This site in W Sussex has been attracting birders to see Honey Buzzards, and we made the trip this morning arriving at 11 a.m. after a two-hour journey. Weather was bright though cloudy. The view over the forest from the watchpoint was fabulous.

Several Honey Buzzards were seen though mostly distant. The first one was a wing-clapping individual in flight over the opposite ridgeline.

Only one came close, flying swiftly over the watchpoint carrying something, probably a comb from a bee/wasp nest.

A Sparrowhawk was also seen in addition to the expected Common Buzzards.

A good deal easier to see were two Golden-ringed Dragonflies, hunting just below us and settling on vegetation to consume their prey. This was my first ever sighting of this impressive species.

A male Yellowhammer was still in song this late in the season.

Honey Buzzard 

Golden-ringed Dragonfly (male)

The second individual 

Yellowhammer 
Photo by Keith Cutting 


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