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The more formally planted areas around the Mansion attract
many birds typical of gardens and parks. Chaffinches, Robins
and even Pheasants will feed out of visitors’ hands.
In the summer, tame broods of Mallard and Moorhen frequent
the ponds and lawns. Overhead, on warm evenings, small parties
of Swifts scream as they dash around the sky. These scythe-winged
birds, which nest in the Mansion eaves, arrive in May and
leave during August to winter in southern Africa. April heralds
the arrival of two other aerial species: the Swallow and the
(white-rumped) House Martin. The swallows fly low over the
lawn above the Pinetum, feeding up for their long return migration
that takes them across the Sahara. Another long-distance summer
visitor, attracted North by the long days and abundance of
food, is the drab, but nevertheless charming, Spotted Flycatcher.
It perches motionless for minutes at a time before darting
out after flying insects. With summer visitors long departed,
Pied Wagtails appear on the lawns and, on winter evenings,
Cormorants fly over to roost on Ardingly Reservoir while a
Grey Heron may put in an appearance on the Mansion Pond.
Given the mix of mature trees and coppice at Wakehurst Place,
it is not surprising that most woodland bird species of Southern
England can be found on the Estate. In winter, a particularly
good place to see species such as Coal and Marsh Tits and
Nuthatch is the lookout point above the Himalayan Glade, especially
when food has been put out. Two winter visitors to the gardens
are Redwing and Fieldfare. These thrushes cross the North
Sea from Scandinavia and arrive in late autumn. They are often
seen near the car park. It is also worth noting that many
of the more familiar species seen on the Estate in winter
such as Chaffinch and Starling may have travelled from the
Continent. The Siskin, although primarily a winter visitor
to the Pinetum, the alders around Westwood Lake and the LVNR,
may breed on the Estate. A very welcome recent addition to
the resident bird population is the Buzzard. A scan through
binoculars from the northern edge of the Pinetum sometimes
reveals one of these large raptors soaring on the thermals.
Perhaps the best place to see and hear migrant warblers in
spring is the LVNR. The coppice is managed to encourage species
such as the aptly named Blackcap, the Chiffchaff and the Willow
Warbler. The latter two are most easily distinguished by their
songs (the Chiffchaff repeats its name). Peak performances
are from late March through to early June. The LVNR is also
home to woodland species such as Tawny Owl, Woodcock and the
scarce Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Many commoner species also
breed there.
A survey in 1999 by the Champion family revealed the following
numbers of singing males / pairs in the 60 hectare reserve:
Robins, 60; Wrens, 52; Blue Tit, 40; Blackbirds, 33; Great
Tit, 23 and Coal Tit, 17.
The Ardingly Reservoir and water features in the gardens attract
other birds. In summer, Grey Wagtails, a local bird in Sussex,
can often be seen at the edge of Westwood Lake. A recent innovation
in the LVNR is the establishment of a hide next to a nesting
bank for Kingfishers. This beautiful species can also be seen
in the vicinity of Westwood Lake. Its presence is often first
given away by its shrill call. Great Crested Grebes, Canada
and Greylag Geese and Mandarin Ducks are to be seen out on
Ardingly Reservoir. Common Sandpipers, Lapwings and even Little
Egret have been recorded around the margins.
Page 1 of 2. Next: Table
of Birds at Wakehurst Place >>>
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