A visit to the Knepp Rewilding estate

 This is a 3500 acre estate south of Horsham and is probably best known for the reintroduction of White Storks. However I was  interested to see and hear the summer migrants that are currently establishing territories in this wildlife project (started in 2001). 

I was not disappointed in the numbers of warblers that were particularly vocal during my morning visit. Nightingales were numerous; Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats a few Lesser Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs all joining the throng. Conspicuously absent were Willow Warblers and not one was heard. 

Photography was difficult to the extent of being non existent. All the species were well hidden except the Whitethroats but even they eluded any decent photos.

The highlight was the presence of White Storks and although I only noted one nest on my short (White) walk there were several in-flight shots.

An interesting morning!

Oh yes....animals a plenty including Tamworth Pigs, Long-horn cattle, Deer and Exmoor Ponies. 

Here is a Red Deer (her fawn out of view and well hidden)

I must stay longer next time I visit.

A brief update

Time for birding has been limited recently due to numerous constraints! However here are a few photos of the past few days. The highlight has to be a White Tailed Eagle soaring high over the sea in front of our bungalow on the beach, being mobbed by gulls and crows.

The seal is being seen regularly in the harbour entrance...

'Stumpy' the short billed Greenshank is back again by the sluice gate along the North Wall

The Short Eared Owl has been seen in the mornings in the Breech Pool reedbed

....and my first Cuckoo of the year was present on the 18th April 

The very regular Cettis Warbler at the entrance to the North walk

Several sedge Warblers now very vocal,

Water Vole near the slice.

...and finally along the spit a lone Brent Goose  feeding  last evening

....and a pair of Ringed Plovers were showing interest in the shingle spit and another single (below) was on the old Little Lagoon.

 

A pair of Linnets were building a nest in the gorse alongside the path which augurs well as a flock of 12 birds are regularly seen on the beach.

So, that's it for now.

 Hopefully,  there will be time for more birding soon.