1. Red-legged Partridge
There was only one record this year, of two birds on the 27th of December on the north side of Crowborough, near St. Johns.
2. Grey Heron
This species was recorded on several occasions in all months outside of the breeding season, and all records were of solitary birds, meaning that breeding really on the charts.
3. Sparrowhawk
A good number of records of this species were enough to show that breeding was at least attempted in various parts of Crowborough, with a pair possibly breeding on the Beeches Estate. The species was seen at that site on many occasions in all months of the year.
4. Red Kite
This year Red Kites, with an ever increasing status in Sussex
12. Buzzard
Buzzards were observed in 10 areas of Crowborough, in all months apart from June, meaning the breeding was unlikely. The largest groups were of ten at Lye Green in may, and six at the same site in July.
13. Water Rail
This is a strange species to be reported in an urban area, and this was the first record of the species. One flew over the Beeches Estate at night on the 29th of January.
14. Moorhen
Two thirds of the Moorhen records came from CDAA Scaland, where the species most likely bred, although this was not recorded. The other records were outside of the breeding season, and came from Fordbrook Farm (1) and the Tunnel (2).
15. Woodcock
One roding male was observed on both surveys in May and in June, at Park Wood.
16. Black-headed Gull
As usual, Black-headed Gulls were observed only during the winter months, at the regular sites: peak counts were as follows: Hurtis Hill (20), Beeches Estate (20), Poundfield Woods (60). The first two maximums came from the first winter period, but the latter record was from the second winter period.
17. Mediterranean Gull
There was just one record this year of an adult in winter plumage flying over the Beeches Estate on the 2nd of March.
18. Common Gull
Another species with just one record, which was strangely enough on the same day and at the same site as the Mediterranean Gull: the 2nd of March, on the Beeches Estate.
19. Herring Gull
This species was recorded in every month except for September, October, and November, and breeding was possible at the town centre. The peak count was of forty one at Lye Green in May, and the second highest was 14 at Poundfield Woods.
20. Yellow-legged Gull
Another first for the area, presumably the same individual was recorded throughout January, February and March on the fields at Poundfield Woods.
21. Lesser Black-backed Gull
One bird was at the Beeches Estate on the 3rd of February, and a further four (possibly including the original bird) were observed at Lye Green on the 22nd of May.
22. Feral Rock Dove
Four records between January and May were the only records, and breeding was not proven at all, although it is suspected that some breeding took place in the town centre.
23. Stock Dove
A mere two sites recorded Stock Dove this year - two at Poundfield Woods on the 2nd of March, and two possibly breeding at Lye Green, observed on the 22nd of May.
24. Woodpigeon
This species was recorded throughout the year, and by the 5th of March three recently fledged juveniles were observed on the Beeches Estate. Breeding was probable at a further eight sites, although this was not confirmed breeding evidence.
25. Collared Dove
There was no confirmed breeding evidence submitted, but males were singing on the Beeches Estate, and were present during the breeding season at three other sites.
26. Cuckoo
Single Cuckoos were recorded on three separate days in April and two in May, totalling five, of which three were observed at CDAA Scaland. The remaining two were at Hurtis Hill and at the Tunnel.
27. Tawny Owl
Tawny Owls were heard/seen in January, February, May, and August, and there is a chance that breeding may have been attempted on the Beeches Estate. The only records which were not from the Beeches Estate were from Hurtis Hill and the Montargis Estate.
28. Swift
Swifts were quite scarce in Crowborough, with just one colony recorded, on the Beeches Estate, where up to 4 pairs bred. Others were observed on the Montargis Estate, and four more were seen at the Pocket Park NR and at Lye Green, where there were probably more colonies.
29. Great Spotted Woodpecker
This species was observed at nine sites across the area, numbers never reaching more than two. Pairs were observed at Hurtis Hill, the Country Park, the Tunnel, Fordbrook Farm, Burnt Oak, and Stone Cross, all of which probably attempted breeding at least.
30. Green Woodpecker
The only records of this species came from areas well outside of the town. All of the records were of single species, although a single bird was reported on both the early and the late BBS transects, meaning that some breeding activity was possible.
31. Kestrel
Kestrels were observed at five sites throughout the year, and breeding was confirmed at Lye Green, where three recently fledged young were observed. Breeding was possible in one other site, which was the Pocket Park NR.
32. Hobby
Three Hobbies were observed at Lye Green on the 22nd of May, which were considered as possibly breeding. This was the only record for this year.
33. Great Grey Shrike
There was one record of this species this year, of a bird on the north side of Crowborough on the 1st of November.
34. Jay
Jays were reported from seven sites over the course of the year, and although breeding was not confirmed at any sites, it was possible at two sites, and pairs were seen during the breeding season at five sites.
35. Magpie
This species was observed at nine sites, quite widespread across the town and its environs. Breeding was only possible at three sites, although recently fledged young were observed on the Beeches Estate, meaning that at least one site had successful breeding.
36. Jackdaw
Similar to the Magpie, the Jackdaw was observed at nine sites. The highest first winter period count of Jackdaws was a record count of 1000 on the Beeches Estate on the 17th of January. In the breeding season, a bird was recorded on the nest at Lye Green, and others were observed in suitable habitat. The peak count from the second winter period was of 200 on the Beeches Estate on the 31st of December.
37. Rook
Despite being common in the countryside, Rooks are fairly scarce in the Crowborough area. They were observed at four sites, and none of the records were in the breeding season.
38. Carrion Crow
Despite being a fairly solitary species, gatherings of up to ten birds were seen at Burnt Oak and at the Tunnel, whilst 13 were seen at the latter on another occasion. Overall, the species was observed at ten sites, and breeding was possible at three of these, although none were confirmed.
39. Raven
Despite Crowborough's close proximity to the Ashdown Forest, there was only one record of Raven this year, one being seen at Lye Green on the 22nd of May.
40. Waxwing
After the influx at the end of last year, one expected a few hanger-ons, and as Crowborough was one of the main sites of the influx, there certainly were: six were observed at Crowborough Warren on the 28th of February, although there were only three left three days later.
41. Coal Tit
This species was recorded at nine sites throughout the year, in all months, although the vast majority of records were outside of the breeding season. Breeding was confirmed at Park Grove, where an adult was observed with food for the young. Breeding was also possible on the Beeches Estate, and at Stone Cross, where the species was observed on both the early and the late BBS transects. The peak count was of four at the Pocket Park NR on the 16th of April.
42. Marsh Tit
This species was recorded outside of the breeding season, probably as a wanderer from the local breeding sites. Apart from a singing bird on the 21st of January at Beechen Wood, there was no sign of breeding anywhere in the vicinity. The species was seen at six different sites.
43. Blue Tit
This species was recorded at ten sites in all months of the year. Breeding was possible at three sites, and confirmed at three, which were the Beeches Estate, where one was reported as using a nestbox, Stone Cross, and Fordbrook Farm, the latter two being observed on a BBS trabsect, and probably amounting to at least five pairs. The peak count was of 20 at the Country Park on the 9th of January.
44. Great Tit
As with the Blue Tit, Great Tits were observed at ten sites. Breeding was possible at two sites, and it was confirmed at a further two, both of which were surveyed as part of the BBS transect. They were reported in all months of the year, and breeding was probably taking place at other sites. The peak count was of 11 at Burnt Oak on the 4th of December.
45. Skylark
The highest count of this species was of 3 at Lye Green. The species was recorded at a total of three sites. Breeding was confirmed at Burnt Oak, where the species was recorded in both the early and the late BBS transect. Breeding was also possible at Lye Green, where a male was observed singing.
46. Swallow
Swallows were recorded at five sites during the summer. The peak count was of six on Green Lane, Crowborough, on the 4th of April. Breeding was confirmed at Burnt Oak, and was possible at Lye Green, but there were no other records of breeding.
47. House Martin
House Martins are not that common, but this year they were seen at four sites. The peak count was of 8 at Fordbrook Farm on the 25th of August, presumably a group gathering for return migration. Breeding probably took place at Lye Green, but nowhere else, as far as the records show.
48. Long-tailed Tit
This species was observed at seven sites in total, although strangely it would appear that they did not breed anywhere in the vicinity, as there was a complete absence of records between May and August. The peak count of this species was of a group of 30 at Burnt Oak on the 27th of December.
49. Willow Warbler
There was only one record of this species during the year, of a group of four which passed through the Beeches Estate presumably on migration on the 3rd of April. The birds were not seen on subsequent days.
50. Chiffchaff
This species was widely distributed, having been seen at nine different sites. Breeding was confirmed at Stone Cross and Burnt Oak, both being observed in the early and late BBS transects, and was probable at a further four sites. Individuals were observed passing through the Beeches Estate in both spring and autumn, but none stayed to breed.
51. Grasshopper Warbler
This species was observed for the first time in Crowborough at an undisclosed site, where it appeared to have bred successfully, fledging at least one young bird.
52. Blackcap
This species was seen at nine sites throughout the year. Breeding was confirmed during the BBS at Stone Cross and at Burnt Oak, and breeding was likely to have been taking place at a further four sites. Fordbrook Farm and Burnt Oak both recorded numbers up to six of this species, in May.
53. Garden Warbler
This species was recorded at three sites, but there was no evidence of breeding at Burnt Oak, despite birds singing at Park Grove and a confirmed breeding bird on the BBS transect at Stone Cross. All records were of single birds.
54. Whitethroat
The only record of Whitethroat this year was of one singing at the Pocket Park NR on the 9th of April.
55. Firecrest
Firecrests were observed at ten sites, this great coverage being mostly prompted by the Sussex Ornithological Society's Firecrest survey. Breeding was confirmed at Pelling's Woods, and possible at a further eight sites, meaning that this is one of the best places to see the species is Sussex. The highest count was of 8 on the 27th of June at Pelling's Woods.
56. Goldcrest
Eight sites played host to Goldcrests throughout the course of 2018, hardly any of which only had single birds. The highest count was of eight at Crowborough Common, and breeding was confirmed at one site, the Beeches Estate, and probable at the Pocket Park NR.
57. Wren
This species was recorded at nine sites, fairly equally distributed across the town and its surroundings. The peak count was of twelve on the 1st of May at Burnt Oak on the early BBS transect. There were five sites where breeding was possible, but there were no confirmed breeding sites reported.
58. Nuthatch
Nuthatches were observed at seven sites throughout the year, mostly on the outskirts of town, as is usually the case with these more secretive birds. The peak count was of 8 at Fordbrook Farm on the 25th of August, whilst breeding was confirmed only at Burnt Oak.
59. Treecreeper
Typically for this species, there were only a total of three records from three different sites, with two in February, and one in April, suggesting that this species may be only a wintering bird in Crowborough.
60. Starling
As expected from such a common species, it was recorded from all nine major 'areas', generally in small numbers, with the highest count being of 100 at the Beeches Estate on the last day of the year! There were four fledged young at the Pocket Park NR on the 8th of June - the only confirmed record of breeding this year.
61. Blackbird
Ten sites hosted Blackbirds this year - a typical number. Fordbrook Farm and the Country Park hosted the joint largest number recorded this year - 10. Again, fledged young were observed at the Pocket Park NR, and breeding was probable at a further three sites.
62. Fieldfare
This species was interesting, in that it was only recorded in the first winter period of the year, with no records from the autumn or second winter period. They were recorded from five sites, with a peak of 100 at Burnt Oak on the 4th of February.
63. Redwing
This species is a little more common than the Fieldfare, although the spread of six sites was little better. There were records until April, and then again in December. The peak count was of 30 at Poundfield Woods on the 2nd of January.
64. Song Thrush
This species was recorded at nine sites during the course of the year, with many people recording singing males, but no other breeding records were submitted. The peak count was of 6 at Fordbrook Farm on dates in both April and May.
65. Mistle Thrush
Despite the the fact that the Song Thrush is very common in Crowborough, the Mistle Thrush remains quite the opposite, being more scarce than Redwings and Fieldfares. A bird was singing at Lye Green, and a bird was recorded at Burnt Oak in July, but there were no other records during the breeding season.
66. Robin
One of our most common birds, seen widely across the town at the ten sites for which records have been submitted. Breeding was confirmed only at the Pocket Park NR, where recently fledged young were observed. Fordbrook Farm and Burnt Oak held the joint maximum of 9 during the month of April.
67. Nightingale
This species is relatively unheard of in this area, but one was discovered just outside the boundary of the Pocket Park NR on the typical date of the 1st of May.The next day there was no sign of it.
68. Black Redstart
This year we had the 2nd record of this species in Crowborough. The first record was of one at Burnt Oak, but this year the bird was on the station buildings at Crowborough train station for just a day, the 29th of January.