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Sunday 1st March 2026: Shore Lark, Burton Mere and Parkgate reserves on the Dee Estuary

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 We planned a birdwatching day in Cheshire today, heading initially to Mow Cap where a Shore Lark had been reported over recent weeks. We walked past the historic castle here along a muddy track, arriving at a gate beside a muddy and marshy field. Kayte quickly spotted the target bird feeding amongst the grass and puddles just a short distance from the gate. We had failed to find a Shore Lark in Norfolk this year, so it was great to pick up this bird here, and it was a lifer for the others in the family group. Also of note here was a Raven being escorted away from the area by an aggressive Carrion Crow! Blurry mobile phone shot, Shore Lark Next we drove to RSPB Burton Mere, a wetland reserve. There were plenty of Avocets here, feeding close to the visitor centre, together with good numbers of Lapwings, and a few Oystercatchers dispersed amongst them. A couple of Golden Plover stood on a muddy island, then a troupe of Black-tailed Godwit flew in, settling by the water’s edge. A Mars...
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Wednesday 25th February 2026: Pulborough Brooks

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 Today was again beautifully sunny as we joined an Sdos event to Pulborough Brooks. We had a fantastic morning with over fifty species seen.  On the zigzags an RSPB volunteer had used a thermal imager to locate a Woodcock skulking in the undergrowth beside the path, enabling us all to get excellent views of this tricky bird.  Woodcock From the viewpoint overlooking the brooks we enjoyed the usual variety of ducks, and were able to share these in the scopes. Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard and Tufted Duck were all visible. Suddenly everything took to the skies in panic. Looking up we soon found the cause of this disarray - a fantastic White-tailed Egret passing overhead. Everyone was delighted to get such great views of this magnificent bird. White-tailed Eagle (Ron Bewley We continued round the hides, finding wheeling Lapwings calling evocatively and a tight flock of Black-tailed Godwits huddled together on an island. In Adder Alley, we again had cracking views o...
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Tuesday 24th February 2026: Chantry Hill

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 At last some sunshine! We set out mid afternoon for a pleasant stroll along the South Downs Way at Chantry Hill, and enjoyed a fine spectacle of farmland birds. A pair of Rooks were feeding in the grass as we arrived, and three Red Kites soared overhead. These were a constant presence throughout our walk, although it was unclear if we were seeing the same birds repeatedly or there were just lots of them! A pair of Ravens also passed over the fields. We had not gone far before I spotted a suspicious looking lump at the edge of a field, which I thought might be a partridge. We edged closer, and it became apparent there were three birds huddled here, and eventually we managed to get to a position where we could determine they were Grey Partridge. Later on the walk we found the more commonly seen Red-legged Partridge too, and the calls of the Greys rang out as the sun began to drop and they became more visible in late afternoon. Grey Partridge Corn Buntings were plentiful, with over t...
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Monday 23rd February 2026: West Dean and Arundel WWT

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 We started our day walking up the Monkton track at West Dean. A  Greenfinch serenaded us as we walked up the hill, although it took us some time to actually locate the bird. An assortment of regular passerines were found around the lower bushes, and we were soon passing beside the fields, and from this section of the track we could scan the distant coniferous treetops. It didn’t take us long to find two Goshawks soaring here, powerful birds with long tails, and notably different in structure than the Buzzards also riding the thermals nearby.  We continued to the first gateway, where we paused to scan the deciduous trees across the field. A group of Redwings flew across to settle in a tree, and a couple of Mistle Thrush also passed through. A Raven perched in a tree, cronking quietly, later seen in flight with its partner. Three Red Kites also flew lazily across the valley, occasionally dipping a wingtip and twitching a rudder-like forked tail to manoeuvre. A number of sm...
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Sunday 22nd February: Shoreham Harbour

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 We were  anticipating the rain would ease this afternoon, but in the event a sea fret was hanging over us, so although the rain ceased, it never really brightened. We therefore decided to drive down to Shoreham Harbour, in the hope of finally bagging a Purple Sandpiper for the year! When we arrived the tide was still very high, and we were not optimistic. A few Turnstones were active on the beach and harbour arm, before perching on the jetty, but there was no sign of any Purple Sandpipers. A large bird was spotted diving in the water here, and on close inspection we discovered this was a juvenile Shag rather than a Cormorant, which are more frequently seen here. The slimmer bill and steep forehead were visible despite the weather, and it gave a characteristic leap as it dived beneath the waves in search of food. Shag, juvenile We strolled along to the end of the harbour arm, looking out into the mist over choppy seas, with a rolling fishing boat leaving the harbour, and the a...
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Saturday 21st February: Mile Oak

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 After some household chores, we had a late morning start as we set out for a farmland walk, hoping to target some common species which I had not yet seen in W. Sussex this year. With the wearyingly damp and gloomy conditions we’ve experienced of late, the birds were neither abundant nor singing well. However, we gradually gathered some of the regular finches and tits as we progressed along the muddy track, and noted a Red Kite drift over and a Sparrowhawk disappear low across the field. As we approached the gate, we were surprised to find the Cirl Bunting singing in the exact same spot where we had encountered it two years ago. This was a very pleasing and unexpected find, although we were aware the bird had overwintered in the locality. A Green Woodpecker undulating across the field with a flash of yellow rump was also a welcome sight , as we had heard plenty this year, but  not managed to see one until today. Cirl Bunting (from previous visit) As we continued on we could he...
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Friday 20th February 2026: Warnham nature reserve

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 With an Sdos outing coming up in the next few weeks and work ongoing around the boardwalk, we decided to do a ‘recce’ visit to Warnham reserve. The weather started fine, but mizzle gradually drifted in, reducing visibility. Nevertheless we had an enjoyable morning with a couple of new annual ticks as an added bonus. Looking out over the pool, there were small flocks of Tufted Duck and Pochard, with an interesting hybrid Pochard looking rather striking. A single Great-crested Grebe swam at the back of the lake together with a few Coots. A Lesser Black- backed Gull loafed amongst the usual species. Continuing on to Bullfinch Hide, the sound of twittering Siskins as we approached was unmistakeable. There were good numbers in the treetops, as well as birds making use of the feeders and gathering seed from the ground. A lovely Bullfinch came to the feeders too, together with regular finches and tits, Nuthatch and a nice male Reed Bunting, transitioning into breeding plumage. Bullfinch ...
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