Caspian Gull at last! My first "lifer" of the year

Thursday 2nd July 2026
Dungeness and the Walland Marsh

“The One That Kept Getting Away”

My scepticism was well founded. One bird I have chased time and again since taking early retirement is the Caspian Gull. Most sightings have been well away from Sussex – in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk – and every trip seemed to end with the same frustrating words:

"You've just missed it. It was here, but it's just left."

When one turned up at Dungeness yesterday, I was doubly frustrated because my car was in for a major service and I couldn't get there. Then came today's news that it was still present. That was all the encouragement I needed, and shortly after lunch I set off on the 90-minute drive to Dungeness.

At Last - Success!
As I walked into the viewing point outside Dennis's Hide, I was greeted with the words I'd almost stopped believing I would hear:

 "It's still here and showing well!"

What a relief!

I quickly found the bird through my binoculars before a friendly Kent birder kindly invited me to look through his telescope for an even better view. Even then, old habits die hard, and I couldn't quite believe my luck. I had deliberately rushed to the viewing point without my own telescope, just in case this long-awaited lifer decided to disappear again before I got there. Once I knew it was settled, I returned to the car to fetch my scope.

The Caspian Tern was resting peacefully on the pebbled island in front of the viewing point, looking completely at ease. After about ten minutes it took to the air, treating us to some superb flight views before drifting away towards Dengemarsh, something it had apparently done several times since arriving.

Courtesy of James Tipple

Courtesy of ??

One More Target Bird

By now it was around 4.30 pm, but there was still one more bird I wanted to catch up with.  For some time I had promised myself that I would finally visit the Tree Sparrows on Walland Marsh. They were once regulars around Boulderwall Farm before relocating to the marsh, where, thanks to some excellent conservation work, the population has recovered well.

 Before leaving the reserve, I had a chat with John, one of the volunteers, who couldn't have been more helpful. He pointed me in the right direction and also mentioned that Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails had been seen along the route.

A Marsh Full of Birds
The walk towards Scotney Court Farm was a pleasure in itself. Scores of Yellow Wagtails brightened the fields, while Corn Buntings and Linnets were also much in evidence. Despite a careful search, the Wheatears remained elusive.

Courtesy of James Tipple

The Tree Sparrows, however, more than made up for it. They were first perched on the roof of the barn before dropping down behind it, where they showed brilliantly and allowed some wonderful close views.

Courtesy of James Tipple

Courtesy of James Tipple

Birders Being Birders

One of the real pleasures of the afternoon was meeting so many friendly birders. Although complete strangers, everyone was happy to share information, stories and advice.

One particularly helpful duo told me about a Little Owl that had been showing at Pigwell, on the road back towards Lydd. They had enjoyed excellent views earlier and very kindly took me to the exact spot before we headed home. Sadly, the owl had other ideas and remained hidden, but at least I now know where to look on future visits to Dungeness.

A Day to Remember

A long-awaited lifer, two valuable year ticks and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in good company made the journey more than worthwhile.

Days like this remind me why I still enjoy the occasional twitch. The anticipation, the relief when everything falls into place, the unexpected conversations with fellow birders and, above all, the sheer pleasure of finally connecting with a bird that has evaded me for years.
 

Sometimes persistence really does pay off.

 
 
New species for the 2026 Year List:
173 Caspian Tern
174 Yellow Wagtail

175 Tree Sparrow
 

First Visit to Henfield Levels with the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

 

Rye Farm Levels, Henfield – A Successful New Venue

Fifteen members of our East Grinstead RSPB Local Group visited to Rye Farm Levels near Henfield on Saturday 20th June. The walk formed part of our continuing effort to explore more local sites and, judging by the turnout and the wildlife encountered, it proved to be an excellent choice.

Our 4.5-mile circular route followed the Downs Link before returning along the River Adur, taking us through a variety of habitats including farmland, woodland and riverside reedbeds. Although the weather was warm, conditions were much more comfortable than forecast earlier in the week.

Birding was steady throughout the morning, with an impressive total of 42 species recorded. Highlights included excellent views of Yellowhammer, one of our target species, and an unexpected juvenile Cuckoo that was eventually relocated and confirmed by several members of the group. Other notable sightings included Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Linnet, Whitethroat, Kestrel and Red Kite.

Yellowhammer - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Yellowhammer - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Reed Warbler - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Song Thrush - courtesy of Phil Aylen

The wildlife interest extended well beyond birds. Marbled White butterflies were particularly numerous, while Banded Demoiselles, Large Skippers and Small Tortoiseshells added colour to the day. Our photographers also captured a variety of plants including Flowering Reed, Viper's Bugloss and Marsh Woundwort.

Overall, this first visit to Rye Farm Levels was a great success. The combination of diverse habitats, abundant wildlife and good company made for an enjoyable and rewarding morning, and the site is sure to become a popular addition to our future programme.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

173 Bullfinch

Spotted Flycatcher at Old Lodge

 The Ashdown Bird Group’s visit to Old Lodge NR on 19 June 2026 was highly successful, with ideal weather, a lively start of nearly 20 species in the first half hour, and all three target birds—Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Tree Pipit—located during the morning. The standout moment was an extraordinary sighting of a juvenile Cuckoo being fed by a Wren, a rare behaviour to witness so clearly. In total, 31 species were recorded, making it a memorable and rewarding outing for the four members present.

Spotted Flycatcher

Redstarts

Juvenile 

Cuckoo

Tree Pipit

All pictures courtesy of Martin Jeffree

New species for the 2026 Year List:

172 Spotted Flycatcher

Roseate Tern and Little Terns at Pagham Harbour

 Blog Snippet: Terns, Triumphs, and a Great Debate at Pagham Harbour

Sunday, 14th June 2026 | Ashdown Bird Group (12 members) | 66 Species Recorded

A sun-drenched summer outing to Pagham Harbour RSPB delivered incredible birding, great company, and a total of 66 species.

The Highlights

• Avocet Bonanza: The Ferry Pool was packed with activity, featuring at least 35 adults and 20 chicks, alongside stunning summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• The Great Tern Debate: At Church Norton, Alison picked out a rare Roseate Tern on the concrete blocks. After a lengthy debate with local RSPB rangers—and a perfectly timed side-by-side lineup with a Common Tern—the ID was confirmed, showcasing its whiter plumage and dark bill.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Target Birds Secured: Down on the beach, the group hit its main objective with excellent views of Little Terns (including one directly overhead), complete with their textbook yellow beaks.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Wildlife Along the Way: The long walk produced singing Reed, Sedge, and Whitethroat warblers, Yellowhammers, a brief Dartford Warbler, and great summer insects like Emperor Dragonflies and Marbled White butterflies.

Yellowhammer - courtesy of Phil Aylen

A huge thanks to Martin for organizing, and to all the group photographers for capturing a memorable day on the Sussex coast!

New species for the 2026 Year List:

169 Roseate Tern

170  Little Tern

171  Yellowhammer

A Surprise Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

 

The Early Birder Catches the Honey-buzzard

Ashdown Forest Raptor Viewing Point – 12 June 2026

Nine members of the Ashdown Bird Group met at the raptor viewing point behind the old Llama Park in Ashdown Forest on a pleasant June morning. Following a spell of unsettled weather, conditions were ideal and hopes were high for our main target species, the Honey-buzzard.

The day's best Honey-buzzard sighting actually took place before the official start time. A female bird emerged from the woodland below the viewpoint and flew along the edge of the field before passing close to the group. Unfortunately, only three members had arrived early enough to see it, while the rest of us had to rely on their descriptions of what was clearly an excellent sighting.

Although the Honey-buzzards failed to show again during the morning, we were more than compensated by an unexpected sighting of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Phil first heard the bird before spotting it flying across the valley and briefly perching in a tall tree nearby. The sighting was enjoyed by several members and proved to be one of the highlights of the session.

There was also a touch of misfortune for some of the photographers. Patrick happened to be back at the car park retrieving a forgotten camera accessory when the woodpecker appeared, while Phil had left his camera behind in his eagerness to follow the bird. Fortunately, Martin was ready with his camera and managed to capture a series of excellent photographs.

By the end of the morning, the group had recorded 30 species, including Honey-buzzard, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard, Garden Warbler, Siskin and Goldcrest. While most members missed the best Honey-buzzard sighting of the day, the combination of good weather, enjoyable company and an unexpected Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ensured a successful and memorable outing.

New species for the 2026 Year List:
168 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

First Honey Buzzards of the Season

Saturday 23rd May 2026

Former Llama Park, Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Following some timely advice from our county expert Mark Mallalieu, Martin and I headed out for our first Honey Buzzard watch of the year. Mark had noted that many of the returning birds were already back on territory across South East England, and that the period from now until early June offers the best opportunity to see them before breeding females become much more elusive later in the summer.

With that encouragement ringing in our ears, we made our way to the well-publicised raptor watchpoint near the old Llama Park, hopeful but quietly confident. Before long, we were joined by three other birders, including our very own raptor guru, Alastair G.

Almost on cue, the first Honey Buzzard appeared over the woodland, drifting effortlessly across the sky. Over the course of the morning we enjoyed multiple sightings, with at least three different birds identified. Each appearance brought that familiar mix of excitement and concentration as we tried to pick up every detail through binoculars and scopes.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Then came the highlight of the morning. One of the birds suddenly began a wing-clapping display high above the trees. It was an extraordinary sight and one we will not forget in a hurry. Seeing Honey Buzzards at all always feels special, but witnessing this behaviour was something else entirely.

A perfect morning in excellent company, and a superb start to the Honey Buzzard season.

New species for the 2026 Year List:
167 Honey Buzzard

Nightjar and Woodcock at Old Lodge

Wednesday 21st May 2026

Old Lodge NR

Finding my first roding Woodcock of the year at Old Lodge had proved elusive this season. However, at the fourth attempt, Alastair C. and I were finally successful when one flew past us at the usual viewing point, moving rapidly down the hill. We managed to get our binoculars onto it long enough to confirm the identification, while the Merlin app also picked up its distinctive call.

A few minutes earlier, almost to the minute — 20 minutes after sunset — my first Nightjar of 2026 had started churring up the hill near Hartfield Road. Shortly afterwards, I caught a fleeting view as it relocated; no doubt the first of many encounters over the coming weeks.

Thanks for your good company, Alastair.

New species for the 2026 Year List:
165  Nightjar
166  Woodcock