ABG visit to Rye Farm Levels, Henfield, Sussex

 

Ashdown Bird Group Trip Report

Friday 14th November 2025
Rye Farm Levels near Henfield
(6 members present)

Weathering Storm Claudia

Despite the looming threat of Storm Claudia, our group pressed ahead with the planned outing to Henfield—and what a rewarding decision it turned out to be.

Rye Farm Levels

The River Adur, forming the western boundary of Henfield parish, is home to one of the region’s most vital natural habitats. Its floodplain, especially during heavy rainfall, transforms into a rich wetland teeming with life.  This dynamic landscape attracts a variety of waders, ducks, and other waterfowl, making it a biodiversity hotspot.  That is why it is a perennial favourite of our group and the reason why we chose to visit today.

Courtesy of Bob Hastings

Adding to the excitement, a Great Grey Shrike had been reported on Wednesday along the River Adur, just north of Bramber, only a few miles from our route. With confirmation that it was still present the day yesterday, heading out in search of it was a no-brainer.

 

Our Route

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

 

Our walk began at the car park next to the Old Railway pub on Upper Station Road in Henfield. From there, we followed the Downs Link path south to Stretham Manor Bridge and joined the western path along the River Adur, continuing down to the reported location of the shrike near Bramber. On the return leg, we looked for birds on the Rye Farm Levels as originally planned.

 

 

Downs Link – Outward Journey

• On the Downs Link path we encountered a variety of birds, including Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and the distinctive call of Cetti’s Warbler.
• The adjacent fields were alive with winter thrushes—numerous Redwings and Fieldfares were seen foraging on the ground, perched in trees, or flying overhead. Song Thrushes and the occasional Mistle Thrush were also present.

Fieldfare - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

 

 

• Along the banks of the River Adur, we saw many Meadow Pipits and Long-tailed Tits, as well as several Stonechats.

 

The Saga of the Great Grey Shrike

Another birder had previously seen the shrike-but only briefly and at a distance.  Unfortunately, a roaming photographer in the target area didn’t help matters, and by now we were experiencing some of the worst rainfall of the day.

All of this meant we had mixed fortunes with regard to the shrike:

• At one point, I was fairly confident I had the shrike in view through the telescope. I called Martin over to confirm the ID, but just as he arrived, the bird flew off and vanished. Despite a thorough search, we couldn’t relocate it.

After about an hour, we decided to abandon the search and head back toward Rye Farm Levels to look for water birds. By the time we reached Stretham Manor Bridge, our group-now reduced to five after Sue M’s departure-had become spread out. Martin and I were already on the Downs Link path, John was still in the field, and Dave and Ian were bringing up the rear.

• That’s when Dave spotted the Great Grey Shrike perched in a tree between the house and the river. Ian quickly confirmed the ID, and they tried to alert us with hand signals. When that failed, as a last resort, Dave called out to us. Unfortunately, this startled the bird, and it flew off toward the house before the rest of us could get a glimpse. Despite further searching, we were unable to find it again.
• Here is a picture of the shrike, taken the day before by Patrick.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

 

Downs Link – Return Leg

By now the weather was improving, and we could relax and enjoy the rest of our walk.

• An unusually close Treecreeper was a very pleasant surprise as we started our way back.
• Immediately after, a Goldcrest tried to join in on the act by behaving in a similar way.

 

We moved into an adjacent field to get a better view over the Rye Farm Levels. There was a good selection of birds on and around the water:

• Pick of the birds on the water was a small group of Pintail ducks, as elegant as ever.
• Plenty of Wigeon, Teal, and Shoveler were on show, along with the occasional Gadwall.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

 

• In a moment of panic, when most of the birds took flight, at least two Snipe were seen flying away from us.
• There were lots of Geese around including these Greylags.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

 

Bird of the Day

Out of the blue, David spotted the bird of the day:

• A superb Hawfinch was perched near the top of a tall tree at the southern end of the levels, looking quite majestic.

 

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

 

Also on the land, by the water, several things were seen.

• A cracking Red Kite, at the northern tip of the levels, was enjoying a break, perched on a gate.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• As we were leaving John heard, then saw a lovely Green Woodpecker.

 

 

 

 

When we set off, armed with optimism and waterproofs, our expectations were somewhat limited.  Our reward however was a memorable day of birding and camaraderie. The floodplain turned out to be alive with activity, and while the Shrike proved elusive for some, the spirit of the group and the richness of the habitat made the trip a resounding success.

David provided both of today’s highlights-beginners luck or a sign of another great addition to our group?  All those on today’s trip would agree with the latter. 

 

“The Wellie Boot Brigade”

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

 

Species List
Name:	Count:		Name:	Count:
Black-headed Gull	1		Linnet	30
Blackbird	2		Long-tailed Tit	31
Blue Tit	3		Magpie	32
Bullfinch	4		Mallard	33
Canada Goose	5		Meadow Pipit	34
Carrion Crow	6		Mistle Thrush	35
Cetti's Warbler	7		Moorhen	36
Chaffinch	8		Mute Swan	37
Chiffchaff	9		Pheasant	38
Collared Dove	10		Pied Wagtail	39
Common Gull	11		Pintail	40
Coot	12		Red Kite	41
Cormorant	13		Redwing	42
Dunnock	14		Reed Bunting	43
Fieldfare	15		Robin	44
Gadwall	16		Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon	45
Goldcrest	17		Rook	46
Goldfinch	18		Shoveler	47
Great Grey Shrike	19		Snipe	48
Great Tit	20		Song Thrush	49
Green Woodpecker	21		Starling	50
Grey Heron	22		Stock Dove	51
Greylag Goose	23		Stonechat	52
Hawfinch	24		Teal	53
Herring Gull	25		Treecreeper	54
House Sparrow	26		Wigeon	55
Jackdaw	27		Woodpigeon	56
Jay	28		Wren	57
Kestrel	29
Species count = 57

2025 species count = 197