Twitching!

Monday 26th October 2025

Woods Mill near Henfield, Sussex

A report came up on Bird Guides of a rare shrike at the Sussex Wildlife Trust headquarters at Woods Mill, so I went down there mid-afternoon and joined a group of birders who were already watching the bird. 

It was perched on a prominent bare branch, quietly going about its business.  After a while, it took flight but soon returned.  

Richard, a friend from the Weir Wood group, kindly agreed to let me show his images of the bird, and these are shown below.

Courtesy of Richard Allan

Courtesy of Richard Allan

Courtesy of Richard Allan

The tricky bit is to identify which shrike this is.  At the moment, it is listed as Isabeline/Red-tailed Shrike and will remain so until DNA tests or otherwise can split these two possibilities.  

Watch this space!

Monday 26th October 2025

Mill Pond, Crawley, Sussex

Having seen the shrike at Woods Mill, I just had enough time to drive up to Crawley to catch the Ring-necked Parakeet roost at Mill Pond. 

• I joined Alastair, another friend from the Weir Wood Reservoir group.  He was counting the birds as they flew in, over the lake and into the trees, 50 metres or so from our position on the boardwalk.  He had counted over 250 by the time I got there.  My take was a mere 5-10!  

• Alastair then took me round to the roost area, where we saw the birds frantically moving around, preparing for the nighttime roost.

What a spectacle - thanks Alastair!

2025 species count = 196

195 Isabelline/Red-tailed Shrike

196 Ring-necked Parakeet.