Trip Report
Sunday 10th May 2026
RSPB Minsmere
East Grinstead RSPB Local Group
(22 members present)
Trip Report
Sunday 10th May 2026
RSPB Minsmere
East Grinstead RSPB Local Group
(22 members present)
Bird highlights came thick and fast throughout the visit. Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Sand Martins were constant companions around the scrapes, while Mediterranean Gulls, Kittiwakes, Little Gull and Red Knot provided memorable coastal sightings. Spoonbill, Barnacle Goose and Stonechat also showed well during the day.
The reedbed hides produced some of the trip’s most exciting moments, with excellent views of Bittern, Hobby and even a fleeting Bearded Tit. At least eight Hobbies were seen hunting over the marshes, while the Bitterns added to the atmosphere around Island Mere.
For a small group, the extra walk to Westleton Common proved especially worthwhile, offering unusually close and prolonged views of Stone Curlews. The day was rounded off perfectly with sightings of Common Crane, Great White Egret, Red Kite, Green Woodpecker and Great Black-backed Gull during the final hours of the visit.
Above all, the trip was a great success thanks to the enthusiasm, good humour and companionship of everyone who attended. Even the cold weather could not spoil another memorable day at one of the country’s finest reserves.
82 species seen.
New species for the 2026 Year List:
154 Barnacle Goose
155 Bearded Tit
156 Bittern
157 Common Crane
158 Hobby
159 Knot
160 Little Gull
161 Spoonbill
162 Sedge Warbler
163 Stone Curlew
Thursday 7th May 2026
Knepp Estate, Sussex
Martin and I volunteered once again for this year’s bird survey at Knepp, focusing on Nightingales, Turtle Doves, Yellowhammers, and Lesser Whitethroats.
Although we didn’t spot any Turtle Doves or Yellowhammers, we were pleased to record three Nightingales and three Lesser Whitethroats.
As an added bonus, we also saw our first White Stork of 2026, flying away from us.
New species for the 2026 Year List:
152 White Stork
153 Lesser Whitethroat
Sunday 3rd May 2026
River Ouse at Piddinghoe, Sussex
When a bird suddenly turns up in Sussex after last being seen in 1974, there’s only one sensible reaction - grab your gear and get moving!
Martin and I had literally just walked through the door after our seawatch at Splash Point when the news broke. A proper rarity. In Sussex. Right now. That was all we needed to hear. Soon, we were back out again, heading straight for Southease Station with renewed energy.
From there, we made the short trek along the west bank of the River Ouse to the viewing point. At first, the bird made us work for it - a few frustrating glimpses, a silhouette here and there - but once it finally settled, we were treated to long, uninterrupted views. The kind that makes every hurried detour feel completely justified.
And then came the twist: there were two birds present. One had drifted downstream, so we didn’t catch up with it, but knowing there was a pair made the whole encounter feel even more special.
For anyone wondering, both birds stuck around until 8th May, giving everyone plenty of time to get down there and enjoy the spectacle. A rare double‑act like that doesn’t come along often - and we were lucky enough to be part of it.
New species for the 2026 Year List:
151 Spotted Sandpiper
Sunday
3rd May 2026
Splash
Point, Seaford, 07.00 to 11.30
Ashdown
Bird Group
(9
members present plus 18 more from the SOS)
Members of the Ashdown Bird Group joined the Sussex Ornithological Society at Splash Point, Seaford, for a spring seawatch led by Simon Linington.
Conditions were not especially favourable, with light south-westerly winds and some early fog reducing visibility offshore, but there was still a steady passage of birds through the morning and enough activity to keep everyone interested. By the end of the session, we had recorded a respectable 35 species.
The most numerous birds were Sandwich Terns, with at least 43 counted, while regular movement of Common Scoters totalled 32. Other highlights included 23 Gannets, 26 Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Mediterranean Gulls, several Sanderlings, Brent Geese, Turnstones, and two distant Red-throated Divers first spotted by Alison.
Around mid-morning, Simon spotted three Arctic Skuas moving offshore, though only a few members could see them clearly due to their height and distance. Later, while some of the group visited the nearby Kittiwake colony below Seaford Head, a Bonxie (Great Skua) passed through, seen only by Dave from the ABG group.
The visit to the Kittiwake colony proved particularly worthwhile, giving close views of birds nesting on the chalk cliffs, while a resident Rock Pipit also provided a nice local sighting.
Although the hoped-for Pomarine Skuas failed to appear, it was still an enjoyable and worthwhile morning in good company.
Thanks to Martin for organising the trip, to Simon for leading the watch, and to Ian Hodgson and Phil Aylen for providing the photographs.
New species for the 2026 Year List:
148 Common Scoter
149 Kittiwake
150 Sanderling
Friday 1st May 2026
Gravetye Estate
Ashdown Bird Group
(9 members present)
What a difference a few weeks can make! Our return visit to Gravetye Manor felt like stepping into a completely different season. Gone were the mud and quagmires of early spring, replaced instead by sun-baked, uneven ground that made for a surprisingly tricky walk-but it was a small price to pay for the burst of life all around us.
From the moment we set off, the air was alive with movement and sound. Swallow and Swift swept overhead, while the constant soundtrack of Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff provided that unmistakable feel of spring in full swing. A brief detour rewarded us with a brilliant view of a Common Whitethroat, and the higher slopes once again proved their worth with a fine supporting cast of raptors, including Common Kestrel, Red Kite and several Common Buzzard circling effortlessly above us.
Down by the lakes, the pace slowed and the atmosphere shifted to something altogether more tranquil. Families of Canada Goose and Mallard drifted across the water, while a calling Little Grebe announced its presence from the reeds.
Canada Geese - courtesy of Ian HodgsonIn the surrounding trees, a busy Eurasian Treecreeper and a vocal Eurasian Nuthatch kept us entertained, alongside a smart Great Spotted Woodpecker.
But the undisputed highlight-the moment that really made the day-was our encounter with a Common Firecrest. First glimpsed fleetingly, we were lucky enough to relocate it shortly afterwards, this time at close range, allowing for some fantastic views and photographs. A tiny bird, but a huge presence, and a perfect reminder of how special these moments can be.
All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding outing, full of variety, colour and birdsong, and a great example of just how vibrant and alive the Sussex countryside becomes at this time of year.
New species for the 2026 Year List:
147 Swift
Tuesday 28th April 2026
I heard and then saw my first Garden Warbler of the year today as I walked along the road to Whillets at the start of the weekly snake survey. It was singing away merrily in the tall trees, which, being virtually leafless at this time of year, meant the bird showed well.
One of my favourite Spring migrants!
New species for the 2026 Year List:
146 Garden Warbler
I spent a rewarding spring morning at Old Lodge with the Ashdown Bird Group, enjoying bright sunshine and a light breeze as we explored the reserve. It can be a challenging site, but with a bit of patience and teamwork we managed to record 33 species, including all the key migrants we had hoped for.
Redstarts were singing but elusive at first, though we eventually had good views.
Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs provided a constant soundtrack, and a couple of Whitethroats added to the mix.
A real highlight was a small group of Crossbills, giving excellent views of both male and female birds.
Stonechats were reliably close, and Woodlarks were present, though less cooperative for photos. Butterflies, including Small Copper and the striking Green Hairstreak, added some extra colour to the walk.
All in all, it was an enjoyable and productive visit, with great company, good weather and plenty of memorable moments out on the forest.
New species for the 2026 Year List:
142 Redstart
143 Tree Pipit
144 Mistle Thrush
145 Cuckoo