No Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Today!

 Gravetye Estate – ABG Visit (13 March 2026)

I was one of nine members of the Ashdown Bird Group who enjoyed a rewarding first visit to the Gravetye Estate, a beautifully managed landscape of woodland, meadows and lakes. Despite hopes of encountering the recently reported Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, the group still recorded a very respectable 42 species during a relaxed morning circuit.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Birdsong greeted everyone on arrival, with Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, Buzzards calling overhead and a Raven cronking from the treetops. Around the manor house, mixed flocks of finches and tits kept the group busy, while a lively Firecrest provided an early highlight.

A climb up the muddy meadow behind the house proved challenging but worthwhile, producing excellent views of raptors including Buzzards, Red Kite, Sparrowhawks and a brief but exciting Goshawk. Meadow Pipits were active across the grassland.

Mud, mud, glorious mud …..
Photo: Ian Hodgson

Quagmire!

Photo: Martin Jeffree

The lakes held a modest selection of waterbirds—Little Grebes, Tufted Ducks, Mallards and a Moorhen—while the surrounding woodland added Marsh Tit, Goldcrest and singing Chiffchaff. A pair of Grey Wagtails showed well near the sluice, and a late addition of Treecreeper rounded off the list.

Little Grebes
Photo: Patrick Sullivan

Although the Lesser Spot remained elusive, the visit offered a lovely mix of early spring activity in a stunning setting. We hope to return later in the season when the estate is alive with song.

Nothing to add to my year list but a super first visit to this site!

New species for the 2026 Year List:

1223 Ringed Plover

124  Bar-tailed Godwit

125   Sandwich Tern

Rye Harbour with the ABG

 Rye Harbour NNR – ABG Visit (8 March 2026)

Despite stubborn mist and a chilly, sunless morning, the Ashdown Bird Group enjoyed an excellent outing to Rye Harbour, with 15 members recording an impressive 78 species.

Following the usual anticlockwise circuit from the Martello Tower, the group enjoyed a rich mix of waterbirds, waders, raptors and passerines. The Spotted Redshank on the Salt Pool was the standout early highlight, offering prolonged views and superb photographic opportunities. Other notable waders included returning Ringed Plovers, elegant Avocets, and a surprise Bar‑tailed Godwit expertly picked out among Golden Plovers.

Spotted Redshank - courtesy of Andrew Burns

Ringed Plover - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Avocet - courtesy of Andrew Burns

Bar-tailed Godwit with Golden Plover Flock - courtesy of Alison Playle

Waterfowl were well represented, with abundant Wigeon and a superb female Red‑breasted Merganser adding unexpected excitement. The first Sandwich Terns of spring were both seen and heard across the reserve.

Red-breasted Merganser - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Sandwich Terns - courtesy of Andrew Burns

Passerines also played their part, with Firecrests stealing the show during the afternoon extension to the Reedbed viewpoint. Skylarks, Wrens, and a quietly perched Kingfisher added further interest.

Firecrest - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Kingfisher - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Despite the challenging light, the day was filled with quality sightings, great company, and excellent photographic contributions. A strong start to the spring season for the Ashdown Bird Group.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

1223 Ringed Plover

124  Bar-tailed Godwit

125   Sandwich Tern

Rodmell with the SOS

Wednesday 4th March 2026

Rodmell near Lewes, Sussex

Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS)

Summary of the Rodmell Walk

I was part of a large group of SOS members who gathered for the annual late‑afternoon Rodmell walk, all hoping for Barn Owls or Short‑eared Owls. For the fourth time this winter, none appeared for me, suggesting that the recent harsh weather may have pushed them from this usually reliable site. Even so, the walk produced a lively mix of species.

Regular tits and finches were noted early on, followed by a Stock Dove and a low‑flying Merlin that only one observer managed to catch. Activity over Iford added Lapwings and ducks, while Common Buzzards, a distant Marsh Harrier, and later a Red Kite drifted through. Mixed groups of Little and Cattle Egrets, Egyptian Geese, a Peregrine pursued by a Pied Wagtail, and three passing Ravens all contributed to the tally.

Stonechats were vocal, a male Reed Bunting showed briefly, and several flocks of Corn Buntings — including my first of the year — moved around the fields. Thrushes included Blackbird, Song Thrush, a lone Redwing, and distant Mistle Thrushes. Near the river, Black‑headed Gulls, Grey Herons, Cormorants, and a final fly‑over Sparrowhawk rounded off the day.

Despite the missing owls, the group enjoyed good company and a healthy total of 55 species.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

122 Corn Bunting

Ashdown Forest - Goshawk Time!

Ashdown Forest Raptor Watch

Behind the former Llama Park

Wednesday 4 March & Thursday 5 March 2026

With clear skies and sunshine returning at last, the official viewing point behind the former Llama Park in the Ashdown Forest offered perfect conditions for early‑spring raptor watching. Two visits—one solo, one shared—produced an excellent mix of sightings and good company.

Goshawks on Both Days

Across both sessions, at least two Goshawks were seen repeatedly, drifting over the treetops in the distance. Their powerful, purposeful flight was unmistakable and provided the main highlight of the outings.

Sparrowhawks Steal the Show

Two Sparrowhawks put on a superb aerial display, twisting and climbing over the forest edge—an unexpected bonus and a joy to watch.

Four Raptor Species Recorded

Alongside Goshawk and Sparrowhawk, the forest delivered:

• Red Kite – a single bird gliding through the area

• Buzzards – several individuals soaring in the warm air

A fine early‑spring mix and a reminder of how rich the forest can be for birds of prey.

Good Company

Wednesday brought a chance meeting with local birders Joanne and David, while Thursday’s visit was shared with Martin, adding a social dimension to the already enjoyable sessions.

Summary

Two lovely mornings on the Ashdown Forest, with regular Goshawk sightings, a memorable Sparrowhawk display, and a supporting cast of Red Kite and Buzzards. A rewarding start to the spring raptor season.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

120 Sparrowhawk

121 Goshawk

Newhaven Harbour (West), Sussex

Saturday 28th February 2026

Newhaven Harbour (West), Sussex

 Birding Highlights from Newhaven

With the weather finally improving, a quick trip to the south coast proved well worth the effort. Newhaven Harbour delivered two excellent seabird encounters, along with a few bonus sightings.

Shag in the Harbour

Local birder Paul W reported a Shag resting on the harbour rocks, and the bird was still present on arrival—basking in the sunshine and offering relaxed, prolonged views. A great opportunity to catch up with this coastal specialist.

Fulmars on the Cliffs

A short move to the car park beneath the cliffs produced further success. Four Fulmars—two pairs—were settled on their usual ledges, clearly enjoying the calm conditions. Always a pleasure to watch these elegant seabirds up close.

First Feral Pigeons of the Year

At least ten Feral Pigeons were active around the car park, marking the first sighting of the species for the year.

Summary

A brief but rewarding coastal visit, with excellent views of Shag and Fulmar, plus the first Feral Pigeons of 2026. Newhaven once again proved a reliable and enjoyable spot for early‑season seabird watching.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

117 Shag

118 Fulmar

119  Feral Pigeon

Broadwater Warren with the Ashdown Bird Group - Woodlark and Dartford Warbler

 Trip Report

Friday 27th February 2026

RSPB Broadwater Warren, Sussex

Ashdown Bird Group

(8 members present)

Eight members of the Ashdown Bird Group visited RSPB Broadwater Warren for a morning field trip led by Kevin Hyde, whose long-standing knowledge of the reserve proved invaluable. Despite light rain, the group completed the full route and enjoyed a productive outing focused on three target species: Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

 Key Sightings

• Dartford Warbler – A single bird was seen early in the walk near the Nightjar viewpoint, offering brief but clear views.

• Woodlark – The highlight of the day. Two birds were watched foraging on the Western Heath, with several more singing overhead.

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – Despite thorough searching, none were found this year.

 Other Notable Species

• Woodcock – Flushed unexpectedly by Ian and Mark, providing a rare daytime sighting.

• Redpoll – A female feeding on alder catkins gave unusually close, prolonged views.

• Treecreepers – Two individuals were observed climbing nearby tree trunks.

• Stonechat – Surprisingly absent, likely due to damp conditions.

• Green Elfcup fungus – A vivid green-stained piece of wood photographed by Ian added an interesting non‑avian find.

Species Count

A total of 20 species were recorded, including Buzzard, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long‑tailed Tit, Song Thrush (heard), and Pheasant (heard).

 Overall

Although one of the target species eluded the group, the outing delivered excellent views of Dartford Warbler and Woodlark, plus several memorable encounters. Thanks were extended to the organisers, Kevin for his guidance, and Ian for braving the weather with his camera.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

116  Woodlark

Pagham Harbour with the East Grinstead RSPB Group

 Trip Report

Saturday 21^st February 2026

Pagham Harbour, Sussex

East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

(11 members present)

Overview

A day of dramatic tides and widespread flooding at Pagham Harbour turned what looked like unpromising conditions into a surprisingly rewarding outing for the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group. With water levels unusually high across both the western and eastern sides of the harbour, birds were pushed into smaller pockets of habitat, often giving excellent—if sometimes distant—views.

Morning: Western Side of the Harbour

The group began at Sidlesham Ferry Pool, where ducks and waders were active despite most of the recent excavation work being submerged. Golden plovers mingling with lapwings provided an early highlight, followed by a marsh harrier resting on the ground.

Golden Plover and Lapwings - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Marsh Harrier - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Along the Ferry Channel, the exposed mud offered the best birding of the morning. A brief kingfisher sighting was quickly overshadowed by superb views of grey plover, redshank, avocet, curlew, and especially a beautifully obliging greenshank that fed close to the group. Brent geese, dunlin, meadow pipits, reed bunting, and little egret rounded off a productive session before lunch.

Grey Plover - courtesy of Andrew Burns

Avocet - courtesy of Andrew Burns

Greenshank - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Greenshank - courtesy of Andrew Burns

Afternoon: North Wall and the Flooded East Side

By early afternoon the tide had reached an exceptional height, with the sea lapping at the path and the Breech Pool completely flooded. Despite the dramatic conditions, bird activity remained strong. Song thrush, linnets, tufted ducks, wigeon, teal, rock pipit, black‑tailed godwits, chiffchaff, and Mediterranean gulls were all recorded.

The standout moment came when a distant pale wader was photographed and confirmed as a spotted redshank—soon joined by a second bird. With the usual channels underwater, these were pushed onto the last scraps of vegetation, giving the group memorable telescope views and securing the day’s top highlight.

Rock Pipit - courtesy of Chris Harries

Spotted Redshanks - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Closing Thoughts

Although the landscape looked almost unrecognisable at times, the group’s persistence paid off. The final tally reached an impressive 66 species, helped by sharp eyes, teamwork, and some excellent long‑range photography. The golden plover flock, the feeding greenshank, and the elusive spotted redshanks stood out as the day’s most memorable encounters.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

113  Linnet

114  Mediterranean Gull

115  Spotted Redshank