Woods Mill and Henfield Levels with the Ashdown Bird Group

 

Sunday 13th July 2025

Woods Mill and Henfield Levels, West Sussex

Ashdown Bird Group

09.30 to 15.30

(7 members present)

 

Being the home of the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Woods Mill is a place that most people have heard of.  However, it turns out that not many of us have visited the reserve.  It very much goes under the radar, which is a shame because it has so much to offer.  

Birds such as Nightingale and Turtle Dove are seen here, mainly in spring.  Butterflies flourish in the summer, and with so many waterbodies and streams, it is also a great place to look for dragonflies and damselflies.

With this in mind, we expected a great day out with lots of variety and plenty to see, and that is precisely what we got.  

We even had time to walk to the edge of the Henfield Levels after lunch.

Trip Report

Woods Mill Map

We took the clockwise path around the perimeter of Woods Mill.  The hot weather meant that the going was slow, with frequent stops in the shade.

We didn't hear or see any Nightingales or Turtle Doves, but we did gather a species list of almost thirty birds, some of which are featured in the photographs below.

Swallow - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Mallards - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Female Blackcap - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Today the birds had real competition from the butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies for the headlines.  Take a look at these images and you will see why.

Butterflies

Large White - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Gatekeeper - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Speckled Wood - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Silver-washed Fritillary - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Comma - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Common Blue - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Dragonflies and Damselflies

female Beautiful Demoiselle - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Male Beautiful Demoiselle - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Ruddy Darter - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Henfield Levels

After a well-earned lunch in the picnic area, we decided to walk to the Henfield Levels – a journey time of just over 30 minutes in the heat of the afternoon, where we added another ten or so birds to our count for the day.

Our raptor count went up rapidly, as you would expect in this habitat with mainly Kestrels and Buzzards. 

Buzzard - courtesy of Phil Aylen

There were a few passerines as well, including these beauties.

Yellowhammer - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Reed Bunting - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

                                                                  

A very different outing with birds, for once, not the primary focus.  Thank you, Martin.

Another superb job from our photographers – thanks!

 

Species List

Species count = 38

Cirl Bunting Outing with The Ashdown Bird Group

 

Friday 11th July 2025

near Mile Oak Farm, West Sussex

Ashdown Bird Group

09.30 to 12.30

(6 members present)

Trip Report

Despite the heatwave, we were keen to visit this site to see this truly exceptional bird.  Martin and I saw the Cirl Bunting here in April.  John and Ian had seen them in Europe but never in the UK.  Patrick had never seen one.  Cirl Bunting sightings in the UK tend to be local to sites in Devon and Cornwall, but are very rare elsewhere, including here in Sussex. 

We joined Sue M at the viewing point where she was already tracking the bird in preparation for our visit.  Welcome to our group, Sue!

• As we approached the viewing area, John could hear the bird singing away in the distance.  Sue then pointed out where she had seen the bird a few minutes earlier.  John soon spotted it, singing from the top of a tree, left of the track, some 100+ metres away from the gate where we were standing. 

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

For the next two hours or so, we were captivated by this bird, and our team of photographers were kept busy generating the quality images that you see below.

• This was the bird's favourite place this morning, to which it kept returning throughout our stay. 

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• It was forever bursting into song, presumably in the forlorn hope of attracting a mate. In doing so, it always raised its head to point skywards as shown in Patrick's photograph.  The tail was also seen to resonate at pace as the bird sang.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• There was a convenient public right-of-way nearby, enabling our photographers to get closer without disturbing the bird. At times, the bird also came closer, allowing our photographers to capture the images they wanted.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• We weren't the only birders there today; two others turned up shortly after us.  Both were very friendly and cooperative.  

• Then a large group of students from the local secondary school came by, accompanied by their teachers.  They were on an end-of-term outing on the South Downs.  After they expressed an interest in why we were there and what we were doing, they accepted our invitation to view the Cirl Bunting in two of our telescopes.  It was very refreshing to witness such a large group of youngsters enjoying the experience and showing a genuine interest in our activity

Our next generation of birders - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

We saw 26 bird species today; obviously, the Cirl Bunting took centre stage, but some of the other species seen are shown below.

Yellowhammer - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

.  

Red Kite - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Buzzard - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Whitethroat - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Carrion Crows - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• Most of us couldn't believe how quickly the time had passed and how much fun we had.  
• Thanks again, Martin and John, for organising another first-class event.  
• A special thank you to our photographers for toiling away in the sweltering heat.
• Sue M, you were terrific, preparing the way for us and also for addressing the students about what they had seen and why it was so special.

Species List

Species count = 26

Another Raptor Watch - Honey Buzzard and Firecrest

Friday 4th July 2025

Bunker's Hill,  Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Ashdown Bird Group

09.30 to 12.30

(8 members present)

Trip Report

Angela B joined us for the first time today.  It was good to see Alan N and John S again.  Such a good turnout deserved a good experience, and that was certainly the case!  

The recent period of warm weather continued.  With plenty of sunshine, we needed to shelter in the shade of the tall gorse bushes at the edge of the footpath nearby.

We met at St John's car park and walked round the back of the Horder Centre to pick up the path out onto  Bunker's Hill.

Honey Buzzard was once again our target species.  We also hoped to see Goshawks.

• The early action featured corvids, and the Ravens, in particular, caught the eye.

• Around 10.00, we got our best view of a Honey Buzzard.  It drifted in from the north and gradually ascended to a good height before flying away.  

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• That was the best we could do today.  There were glimpses of another Honey Buzzard, but it did not stay around long enough for us to be certain of the ID.

• There were numerous Common Buzzards on view.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• This one, flying on straight wings, could have been mistaken for a Honey Buzzard, but further observation showed it to be a Common Buzzard.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• Other raptors seen included a Kestrel and a brief view of a Sparrowhawk.  Sadly, no Goshawks were seen.

• Alan spotted a flock of 10 Crossbills flying overhead as we walked out to the viewing area.  There were a good number of Linnets flying around as you would expect in this area.

There was some very lively activity in St John's car park at the start and at the end of our visit.  

• Alan picked up the sound of a Firecrest in the tall trees at the entrance to the car park just before 09.30.  John E also heard the bird when he arrived around 10.30.  With this in mind, we allocated some time at the end of our visit to see if we could spot one.  The Firecrest duly obliged and gave some superb views.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• We also saw at least two Treecreepers while tracking the Firecrest.

• Martin also managed to get this cracking view of a Chiffchaff.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Around 12.30, we decided to call it a day, with everyone more than happy with the morning's sightings and comfortable in the knowledge that we would get at least one more chance to see Honey Buzzards in the autumn as they gather before migration back to Africa.

Thanks, John and Martin, for yet another successful Friday morning experience!

 

Species List

Species	Count		Species	Count
Blackbird	1		Kestrel	14
Blackcap	2		Linnet	15
Blue Tit	3		Magpie	16
Buzzard	4		Nuthatch	17
Carrion Crow	5		Raven	18
Chaffinch	6		Robin	19
Chiffchaff	7		Siskin	20
Common Crossbill	8		Song Thrush	21
Firecrest	9		Sparrowhawk	22
Garden Warbler	10		Swallow	23
Goldfinch	11		Swift	24
Honey-buzzard	12		Treecreeper	25
Jay	13		Wren	26

Species Count = 26

2025 species count = 182

New Species:

182  Firecrest