1999-2024 Celebrating 25 years of Birding
This is a significant year for Henfield Birdwatch as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. We are looking forward to an exciting year of activities – all of which are free for members!
There are walks and talks going on all year. Keep an eye on the Events for Members section, join the Facebook Group and look out for the Newsletters for more information.
Henfield is a great place for birds and people!
Welcome to the Henfield Birdwatch website. We are a group with an interest in birds and wildlife in general. We welcome people whatever their birding knowledge. We have group walks, talks, meet regularly for lunch and some people like to share their sightings online.
We aim to ensure that Henfield remains a great place for birds and some of our members like to become more involved by
- regularly surveying and monitoring the local bird population and species
- helping Henfield residents to be aware of our local birds and how to help them flourish
If this sounds interesting and you would like to join us you would be warmly welcomed.
Latest Sightings
Monday walk
Before I left home I heard a Song Thrush singing just along the way – first I’ve heard for months - and as we walked south we heard another two singing, a couple of Mistle Thrushes having some sort of altercation, then a bit later one of these was singing too. A Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler were heard near the 2nd railway…
Monday walk
Before I left home I heard a Song Thrush singing just along the way – first I’ve heard for months - and as we walked south we heard another two singing, a couple of Mistle Thrushes having some sort of altercation, then a bit later one of these was singing too. A Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler were heard near the 2nd railway…
Latest Sightings
Marsh Harrier
Walked from Henfield down to Stretham with Lesley this morning. Great views of a Marsh Harrier (juv/female type) between railway line & Rye Farm. Probable Black-necked Grebe a bit to the south of Rye Farm – but it disappeared into the reeds and didn’t reappear. Wasn’t a Little or Great Crested.
Val Bentley, 2nd…
Marsh Harrier
Walked from Henfield down to Stretham with Lesley this morning. Great views of a Marsh Harrier (juv/female type) between railway line & Rye Farm. Probable Black-necked Grebe a bit to the south of Rye Farm – but it disappeared into the reeds and didn’t reappear. Wasn’t a Little or Great Crested.
Val Bentley, 2nd…
Latest Sightings
River walk and 'gardening'
Very little around on a walk this morning along Stonepit Lane, down river to West End and back. Three Fieldfares chacked as they flew from near Celia’s towards Betley, there were several Moorhens calling from the floods, and a Jay & Great Spotted Woodpecker– called from the other side of the river. 2…
River walk and 'gardening'
Very little around on a walk this morning along Stonepit Lane, down river to West End and back. Three Fieldfares chacked as they flew from near Celia’s towards Betley, there were several Moorhens calling from the floods, and a Jay & Great Spotted Woodpecker– called from the other side of the river. 2…
Latest Sightings
Watery birds near Meadowside
Hi. Yesterday on my litter picking round a din over the scout hut field proved to be Herring Gulls mobbing a Little Egret. This morning a Cormorant flew over the garden.
Nigel Colgate, 30th November 2024 2nd December 2024
Watery birds near Meadowside
Hi. Yesterday on my litter picking round a din over the scout hut field proved to be Herring Gulls mobbing a Little Egret. This morning a Cormorant flew over the garden.
Nigel Colgate, 30th November 2024 2nd December 2024
Latest Sightings
Area 7 survey
Lesley and I were out Thursday on a frosty, misty morning to do part of this survey.
Highlights were the Grey Wagtail and a Moorhen at stinky pond.
Hollands Lane was busy with 18 Long-tailed Tits, a Treecreeper, 2 Redwings, a Firecrest, Goldcrest and Coal Tit.
Lawyers Lane brought a Mistle Thrush churring as…
Area 7 survey
Lesley and I were out Thursday on a frosty, misty morning to do part of this survey.
Highlights were the Grey Wagtail and a Moorhen at stinky pond.
Hollands Lane was busy with 18 Long-tailed Tits, a Treecreeper, 2 Redwings, a Firecrest, Goldcrest and Coal Tit.
Lawyers Lane brought a Mistle Thrush churring as…
Latest Sightings
Monday walk 2nd December
Ezio and I were delighted to have Lesley’s company this morning – she’s so much better at spotting birds than I am!
Before I left home I heard a Song Thrush singing just along the way – first I’ve heard for months - and as we walked south we heard another two singing, a couple of Mistle Thrushes having…
Monday walk 2nd December
Ezio and I were delighted to have Lesley’s company this morning – she’s so much better at spotting birds than I am!
Before I left home I heard a Song Thrush singing just along the way – first I’ve heard for months - and as we walked south we heard another two singing, a couple of Mistle Thrushes having…
Latest Sightings
Kingfisher at Batts Pond
We saw a kingfisher at Batts pond today.
And I thought the pond was devoid of all life.
Peter & Penny Meares, 29th November 2024 2nd December 2024
Kingfisher at Batts Pond
We saw a kingfisher at Batts pond today.
And I thought the pond was devoid of all life.
Peter & Penny Meares, 29th November 2024 2nd December 2024
Latest Sightings
Common Gulls
Walking along the Mill Stream this morning, admiring the flooded pasture by the Downslink. I counted 12 Common Gulls, bobbing about on the water. Lovely dark eye and an impression of a rounded head. One took off and the black wing tip had a white spot at the end. The family of Mute Swans were there on the water…
Common Gulls
Walking along the Mill Stream this morning, admiring the flooded pasture by the Downslink. I counted 12 Common Gulls, bobbing about on the water. Lovely dark eye and an impression of a rounded head. One took off and the black wing tip had a white spot at the end. The family of Mute Swans were there on the water…
Latest Sightings
Lotsa water
The birds were rather distant this morning. Not much actually swimming about other than 30 or so Mallard and some Wigeon, Teal & Gadwall. Several hundred Black-headed Gulls the other side of the water.
Lovely family of Long-tailed Tits were flitting about in the sandpit just off Windmill Lane, and I could hear a…
Lotsa water
The birds were rather distant this morning. Not much actually swimming about other than 30 or so Mallard and some Wigeon, Teal & Gadwall. Several hundred Black-headed Gulls the other side of the water.
Lovely family of Long-tailed Tits were flitting about in the sandpit just off Windmill Lane, and I could hear a…
Latest Sightings
Fieldfares
I now have a small flock of Fieldfares most days on the apples under my apple trees.
Roger French, 26th November 2024 26th November 2024
Fieldfares
I now have a small flock of Fieldfares most days on the apples under my apple trees.
Roger French, 26th November 2024 26th November 2024
Latest Sightings
Song Thrushes
A pair of Song Thrushes visited the garden today.
Debbie Colgate, 24th November 2024 25th November 2024
Song Thrushes
A pair of Song Thrushes visited the garden today.
Debbie Colgate, 24th November 2024 25th November 2024
Latest Sightings
Grey Wagtail
Love the Grey Wagtails, we have one here at Swains too, darting around.
Alex Hill, 21st November 2024 25th November 2024
Grey Wagtail
Love the Grey Wagtails, we have one here at Swains too, darting around.
Alex Hill, 21st November 2024 25th November 2024
Latest Sightings
Grey Waggie
Nigel started putting out meal worms yesterday. This morning the Grey Wagtail is back - 3rd year running. We are very excited.
Debbie Colgate, 21st November 2024 25th November 2024
Grey Waggie
Nigel started putting out meal worms yesterday. This morning the Grey Wagtail is back - 3rd year running. We are very excited.
Debbie Colgate, 21st November 2024 25th November 2024
Latest Sightings
Redwing
On Saturday 16th we had a Redwing on the holly. By the 18th we don't have any berries left. 🙂
Peter & Penny Meares, 18th November 2024
18th November 2024
Redwing
On Saturday 16th we had a Redwing on the holly. By the 18th we don't have any berries left. 🙂
Peter & Penny Meares, 18th November 2024
18th November 2024
Latest Sightings
Woodcock
While walking Ziggy this morning I needed to answer the call of nature, I crept into an area of boggy scrub (no pun intended) and inadvertently flushed a Woodcock, no mistaking that russet rump. I love seeing Woodcock but because of their camouflage and the fact that they sit tight its mostly when they are flushed. Of course,…
Woodcock
While walking Ziggy this morning I needed to answer the call of nature, I crept into an area of boggy scrub (no pun intended) and inadvertently flushed a Woodcock, no mistaking that russet rump. I love seeing Woodcock but because of their camouflage and the fact that they sit tight its mostly when they are flushed. Of course,…
Latest Sightings
Pheasants
I put up two male Pheasants on the walk round the field by the Cabin this morning, much to the dogs’delight! I haven’t seen any around for so long, it was quite a novel sight.
Liz Taylor, 13th November 2024 14th November 2024
Pheasants
I put up two male Pheasants on the walk round the field by the Cabin this morning, much to the dogs’delight! I haven’t seen any around for so long, it was quite a novel sight.
Liz Taylor, 13th November 2024 14th November 2024
Latest Sightings
Berrets
I had a quick walk down to Berretts this morning. Nothing feeding on the sunflowers though there were plenty of Chaffinches in the surrounding trees. Heard a Fieldfare go over, a Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker, all of which were additions to the list of 39 species we had yesterday.
Val Bentley, 13th November…
Berrets
I had a quick walk down to Berretts this morning. Nothing feeding on the sunflowers though there were plenty of Chaffinches in the surrounding trees. Heard a Fieldfare go over, a Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker, all of which were additions to the list of 39 species we had yesterday.
Val Bentley, 13th November…
Latest Sightings
Blackbirds
The Blackbirds are back in our garden. We have two males scurrying around trying to peck each other's tails and a lone female who gets chased off by one of the males as soon as she sets a claw on the ground. I'm sure she'll get more cunning and will soon be running rings round them.
Debbie Colgate, 13th November 2024
…
Blackbirds
The Blackbirds are back in our garden. We have two males scurrying around trying to peck each other's tails and a lone female who gets chased off by one of the males as soon as she sets a claw on the ground. I'm sure she'll get more cunning and will soon be running rings round them.
Debbie Colgate, 13th November 2024
…
Latest Sightings
Monday's walk (on a Tuesday)
New member Mark and Angela joined me and Ezio this morning. After info regarding a Brambling on the sunflowers near The Cabin, we diverted that way but could only find Chaffinches. Some small birds seemed to be flitting around a blob in a tree the other side of the field, which turned out to be a nicely…
Monday's walk (on a Tuesday)
New member Mark and Angela joined me and Ezio this morning. After info regarding a Brambling on the sunflowers near The Cabin, we diverted that way but could only find Chaffinches. Some small birds seemed to be flitting around a blob in a tree the other side of the field, which turned out to be a nicely…
Latest Sightings
Fieldfares
A few Fieldfares on the apples in my garden this morning.
Roger French, 12th November 2024
12th November 2024
Fieldfares
A few Fieldfares on the apples in my garden this morning.
Roger French, 12th November 2024
12th November 2024
Latest Sightings
A couple of recent garden visits
We don't normally get Nuthatches or Great Spotted Woodpeckers through the garden but a pair of Nuthatches appeared on Saturday, and a GSW yesterday. Brightened a dull day up.
Lots of Starlings on the birdbath chasing dried meal worms in the morning.
Peter and Penny Meares, 12th November 2024…
A couple of recent garden visits
We don't normally get Nuthatches or Great Spotted Woodpeckers through the garden but a pair of Nuthatches appeared on Saturday, and a GSW yesterday. Brightened a dull day up.
Lots of Starlings on the birdbath chasing dried meal worms in the morning.
Peter and Penny Meares, 12th November 2024…
Latest Sightings
Redwing and Meadow Pipits
A few Redwings and quite a few Meadow Pipits at Swains this morning.
Peter Hills, 10th November 2024 10th November 2024
Redwing and Meadow Pipits
A few Redwings and quite a few Meadow Pipits at Swains this morning.
Peter Hills, 10th November 2024 10th November 2024
Latest Sightings
In my garden
A Ring-necked Parakeet on the feeders this lunch time. I wondered when they would arrive.
Les Cheeseman, 9th November 2024 10th November 2024
In my garden
A Ring-necked Parakeet on the feeders this lunch time. I wondered when they would arrive.
Les Cheeseman, 9th November 2024 10th November 2024
Latest Sightings
The Lydds
Always really nice to see a species where you’ve never seen them before! And as I walked along the Lydds towards Whites, a Stonechat suddenly called and popped up on a bit of vegetation by the eastern field!
Long-tailed Tits calling in the woods on the Common and a Reed Bunting in the reedbed.
Val Bentley, 3rd November…
The Lydds
Always really nice to see a species where you’ve never seen them before! And as I walked along the Lydds towards Whites, a Stonechat suddenly called and popped up on a bit of vegetation by the eastern field!
Long-tailed Tits calling in the woods on the Common and a Reed Bunting in the reedbed.
Val Bentley, 3rd November…
Latest Sightings
Water Rail
While walking Ziggy this morning, not too much about, just a few unseen singing Robins, 200+ Woodpigeon, corvids and a few flyover Gulls. But to my surprise and delight, when I sat on the bench at the lake side a brown bird flew out from the overhanging vegetation, flew across the lake and landed at the water's edge. …
Water Rail
While walking Ziggy this morning, not too much about, just a few unseen singing Robins, 200+ Woodpigeon, corvids and a few flyover Gulls. But to my surprise and delight, when I sat on the bench at the lake side a brown bird flew out from the overhanging vegetation, flew across the lake and landed at the water's edge. …