Last month we arranged a walk round the reserve for the our reserves' volunteers to thank them for all their hard work over the busy autumn/winter habitat management season. One of the volunteers, Elaine, wrote an account of what they saw:
Broadwater Warren Volunteer Birdwalk 23/04/2024
After so much recent hard labour by volunteers and RSPB workers, as well as the dedicated grazing of the konic ponies and the behorned goats, a birdwalk was arranged to revel in the benefits of the habitat creation and maintenance on the bird population, in this idyllic area of countryside.
Over 10 volunteers braved the chilly, breezy but fortunately dry weather conditions and we were lead by expert birders: Nick, Alan, Matt and Kevin on a four and a half kilometre stroll through wooded areas and open heathland. With binoculars at the ready, we shared our desires to see the Dartford warbler, who for the record, have been nesting on the reserve since 2019 and had been seen by Alan the previous day.
The first birds to be heard were the ever-reliable robins, blue tits, great tits and chiff chaffs, who seem to follow every walker, every step of the way, regardless of where you are. But we were in for an early treat, with Nick, demonstrating some incredible feats of hearing, identifying the falling notes of the woodlark, some distance away and well hidden in the vegetation. We had given up on having eyes on it, when to our delight it suddenly flew over our way, its short stubby tail being the classic giveaway.
In this open area, on the few remaining birch trees were several spots, including a distant carrion crow, its dark silhouette swaying in the breeze and calling loudly over its domain. They are fearless, clever and solitary for the most part and indeed that was the only one that I saw. But the clamour and excitement of humans distracted me, as there was a new kid in town, a much smaller but equally distinctive bird: keen ears and eyes had spotted the Dartford warbler. Key to its identification is the long tail and brown chest, as well as the dramatic red eye, I learnt. Alas, I did not see it, but the Merlin app confirmed that I had been in its presence. Which was a start for me and an invitation to return to try again to see them. They are on the amber list, despite numbers increasing since, their near terminal decline in the 1960s. They don’t fair well with cold winters, so unsurprisingly, with the temperature rapidly dropping in this open part of the reserve, it headed off to the shelter of the wooded areas, as did the rest of the birdlife; even the robins retreated.
We moved on and came to the edge of the open area and our next discovery, its presence drawn to our attention by a deep gruff call and a noisy take off from the overhead pine branches: two ravens. Sighted quite often on the reserve, but only since 2012, they are the largest of the crow family and display a wedge shape tail in flight. They are considered to be massive and can have a four-foot wingspan. I will be back to try to see these again, as I am strangely drawn to them and their mysticism and to get to grips with their scale.
After passing the quarry area, we were in luck again, with the clear sighting of a greater spotted woodpecker crawling slowly up a tree trunk and flying off with its dramatic drop and recover flight, as if avoiding incoming, or as one wit observed: it’s as if they forget to fly and then suddenly remember.
The walk was coming to a close, as we approached the goat field area, when both a whitethroat and a linnet were heard and observed, both in fantastic voice. The whitethroat is a summer migrant and so it might have been wondering why it had bothered flying in so early, but hopefully it will start to warm up soon. I am hopeless at finding anything with binoculars, so I was grateful to have seen both these charming birds at such close quarters. I guess I just need some more practice. Broadwater Warren, here I come!
(In total over 15 different species were seen or heard, including goldcrests, treecreepers and blackcaps and more and those noted above. Many thanks to the organisers and guides, it was very instructive.
Wealden Reserves Office Manager