A few twitches

Cirl Bunting at Mile Oak Farm – 28 March 2026

A short visit to the South Downs delivered exactly what I was hoping for: my first Cirl Bunting of the year. I picked it up near Mile Oak Farm, along the track heading north, in almost the same spot it has favoured for the past two winters. It really does seem to have adopted this little corner of the Downs as its regular overwintering patch.

The conditions were far from ideal — a chilly, blustery wind sweeping across the slope — and it took over an hour of waiting before the bird finally appeared. When it did, it chose the top of a tree just behind its usual favourite perch, giving me enough time to confirm it was indeed the same returning individual.

I came back the following Friday — Good Friday — with the Ashdown Bird Group, and Phil Aylen managed to capture these lovely photos of the bird despite the weather being even worse with rain to contend with as well as the wind and cold.

A Cirl Bunting this far east is always a treat, but just seeing this bird in Sussex adds something special.

Weir Wood Reservoir – Early Spring Sightings

My Tuesday voluntary sessions at Weir Wood Reservoir have also begun to reflect the shift in seasons, with a couple of notable sightings.

31 March 2026 – First Blackcap of the Year

While heading to Whillets Meadow to carry out a reptile survey, I heard the bright, fluting song of my first Blackcap of the year. It was singing confidently from a hedgerow — a classic marker of early spring and a sure sign that migration is now underway.

7 April 2026– Waders at the Dam End

A week later, on 7th April, Martin and I stopped at the dam end of the reservoir on our way home. Along the concrete edge we picked out at least two Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper feeding at the water’s edge. A lovely trio of early waders and a rewarding end to the morning’s work.

RSPB Pulborough Brooks

8 April 2026  Nightingales & Garganey

I decided to visit Pulborough Brooks after closing time, hoping for the best chance to hear the Nightingales. Their song is one of the great joys of spring, and catching up with them was high on my list.

It didn’t take long. Just minutes into my walk, I heard the first bird, and even managed a brief glimpse as it dropped down into cover. In total, I encountered at least three of the seven birds known to have returned so far. The highlight came right at the end of my visit to Fattengates, where I simply sat and waited. Before long, a Nightingale appeared around twenty feet up in a tree and launched into full song — a magical, ringing performance and a perfect way to round off the evening. I can’t wait to return with the Ashdown Bird Group, when our photographers will be able to capture the moment properly.

Earlier in the visit, I had twitched two Garganey on the North Brooks, first from The Hanger and then even closer from Little Hanger Hide. A lovely supporting cast to an already memorable evening.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

128  Cirl Bunting

129  Blackcap

130  Little Ringed Plover

131  Common Sandpiper

132  Nightingale

133 Garganey

Dungeness Trip – 22 March 2026 – East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

Thirteen members enjoyed a bright, calm day at Dungeness, recording nearly 70 species. The highlight was excellent—if hard‑won—views of black‑necked grebes at the ARC Pits, thanks to a timely tip‑off from local birder Martin Casemore (Plodding Birder).

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Other notable species included firecrest, Cetti’s warbler, bearded tit, and a fast‑moving kingfisher. Unfortunately, they did not present themselves for photographs - a case of "blink and you miss them"

More cooperative birds included:-

All three egret species

Little Egret - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Great White Egret - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Cattle Egrets - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Goldeneye

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Raptors were well represented, with marsh harrier, kestrel, and two peregrines, one of which passed the group at close range.

Peregrine - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Round at the power station, the highlight was this superb male Black Redstart.

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Non‑bird highlights featured:-

 Great‑Crested Newt

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

 Marsh Frog 

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Red Fox

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Seawatching 

There was not much going on here apart from the odd Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.

Gannet - courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Red-throated Diver - courtesy of Phil Aylen

A super trip packed out with interesting wildlife!

New species for the 2026 Year List:

126  Black-necked Grebe

127  Black Redstart

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