Minsmere 2026 with the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

 

Trip Report

Sunday 10th May 2026

RSPB Minsmere

East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

(22 members present)

 Sunday 10th May saw 22 members of the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group enjoy our annual coach trip to the wonderful RSPB Minsmere reserve on the Suffolk coast. Despite bitterly cold conditions and a strong north-easterly wind more typical of midwinter than spring, the day proved both enjoyable and highly rewarding.

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.

Sand Martin - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Spoonbill - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Barnacle Goose - courtesy of Phil Aylen

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.

Hobby - courtesy of Phil Aylen

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.

Stone Curlew - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Common Crane - courtesy of Phil Aylen

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

White Storks at Knepp

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

Spotted Sandpiper on the River Ouse at Piddinghoe

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.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

These are Phil's photographs taken a couple of days later.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

New species for the 2026 Year List:

151  Spotted Sandpiper

Seawatching at Splash Point with the Ashdown Bird Group (ABG) and the Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS)

 

Sunday 3^rd 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.

Sandwich Tern - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Common Scotor - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Gannets - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Red-throated Diver - courtesy of Phil Aylen

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.

Nesting Kittiwakes - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Kittiwake - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Kittiwakes- courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Rock Pipit- courtesy of Ian Hodgson

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

Gravetye Manor with the Ashdown Bird Group

 

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.

Buzzard - courtesy of Alison Playle

Whitethroat - courtesy of Phil Aylen

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 Hodgson

In 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.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

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

First Garden Warbler of the Year at Weir Wood Reservoir

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

Old Lodge with the Ashdown Bird Group - Redstarts, Cuckoo, Tree Pipits and Crossbills

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.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

The Tree Pipit performed beautifully with its display flights near the northern slopes. 

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Cuckoos called regularly, and I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one later in the morning.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

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.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

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