Wednesday, 16 July 2025

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




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