There are 3 nests in the heronry near the Downslink, looks like at least 2 young in 1 nest, 1 in another, and could only see an adult on the 3rd.

An SOS member who lives at Steyning emailed to say that he counted 13 Lapwing with 7 young on the big field south of the mill stream yesterday morning, and saw a Barn Owl carrying rodent prey.  Excellent news!

Hazel has counted about 20 House Martins over the newest part of the Deer Park Estate and Peter says “‘Our’ Swifts are back – up to 5 circling the house at various times, hopefully checking out the nest boxes”.

And Will and Val reckon there are c33 Nightingale territories in “Greater Henfield”! i.e roughly the western 2/3 of TQ21 (and a bit of TQ22) including, Shermanbury, Wineham, Twineham, Henfield, Small Dole, Oreham, Edburton & Perching Sands.  Seems a funny year, in that some of the more regular haunts don’t have quite as many, yet they are turning up in other spots but possibly then moving somewhere else in the vicinity.