Welney with Sara for Whooper Swans and Tree Sparrows

As part of my 80th birthday celebrations, Sara drove me up to WWT Welney—one of my all‑time favourite sites.

At the very top of my wish list were Whooper Swan and Tree Sparrow, and to my delight we saw both species in abundance. As an added bonus, 10 Cattle Egrets were also present.

An unforgettable day from start to finish

2025 species count = 203

Whooper Swan      202

Tree Sparrow         203

200 up!

Southwick Canal

10th December 2025

A mid‑morning visit to Southwick Canal proved well worth the effort, adding two new species to my year list and taking my total for 2025 over 200.

• Bob and Judy from the Weirwood Reservoir Group were already in position when I arrived, and they kindly had the Red‑necked Grebe lined up in the scope. Although the bird was fairly distant, it had been tracked earlier in the morning by the original finder, allowing us to enjoy good—if not close—views.
• As an unexpected bonus, a very obliging Shag spent time preening on the water before flying across to the opposite wall, where it posed beautifully for several minutes. Unfortunately, none of us had a camera capable of doing it justice.

2025 species count = 201

Red-necked Grebe      200

Shag                              201

Cliffe Pools with the East Grinstead RSPB Group

Eight members of the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group enjoyed a wonderfully bright and mild winter’s day at Cliffe Pools on 13 December. It was our first visit to this picturesque north Kent reserve since 2014, and the return felt long overdue.

Our route took us from Crystal Pool along Dartford Track and Cliffe Creek, looping back via Creek Road before continuing toward Black Barn in the afternoon. 

Although the birding proved more challenging than on recent outings, we worked hard and were rewarded with a total of 56 species.

• Lapwings stole the show, earning Bird of the Day thanks to their sheer numbers and the elegance of their flight—especially when seen alongside flocks of golden plovers. 

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Courtesy of Chris Harris

• Greenshank also featured prominently, with at least three individuals noted.

Courtesy of Andrew Burns

• Other highlights included curlew, marsh harrier, kestrel, buzzard, sparrowhawk, linnet, dunnock, goldfinch, woodpigeon, and grey heron, many beautifully captured by our photographers.

Kestrel

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Buzzard

Courtesy of Andrew Burns

Linnets

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

A lighter moment came when Phil demonstrated the impressive sharpness of his new camera, a clear upgrade from his previous thermal model.

New thermal imaging camera

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Previous thermal imaging camera

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Finally some stunning images of Cliffe Pools

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Many thanks to John for organising another excellent outing, and to our photographers—Andrew B, Chris H, Ian H, Martin J, and Phil A—for their outstanding images. Let’s hope our next visit to Cliffe Pools comes sooner than another eleven years

2025 species count = 199

Twitching at Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne

Tuesday 2nd December 2025

Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne

I persuaded Martin to join me on an afternoon "twitch" to see the Black Guillemot at Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne.  

• The bird was showing well at the harbour mouth, along with some Cormorants and Great-crested Grebes.  It was first seen on 27th November 2025.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• There was also a Common Guillemot close by.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• Just outside the harbour entrance, I caught a glimpse of a diver - probably the Great Northern Diver that was seen earlier by others.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

2025 species count = 199

Black Guillemot          198

Common Guillemot    199

Ashdown Bird Group Visit to Fishbourne Creek and West Dean Woods

 Ashdown Bird Group – Trip Summary

On Sunday 30th November 2025, 11 members enjoyed a glorious day of birding at Fishbourne Creek and West Dean Woods. 

• The morning delivered 56 coastal species, highlighted by a striking Black Swan among flocks of waders and wintering Brent Geese. 

Black Swan

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

Brent Geese

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• The afternoon brought woodland treasures, including Hawfinches, Crossbills, and raptors such as Red Kite and Buzzard. 

Hawfinch

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Red Kite

Courtesy of Alison Playle

• By day’s end, the group had tallied an impressive 69 species, making this one of the year’s standout outings.

2025 species count = 197