Henfield - 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
Chilly but bright
A lovely day for a walk along the millstream to the Downslink, Stretham Bridge and back through the fields. Fairly quiet to start with, very little noted. There was a single Cormorant in the oak tree, but looked like an altercation was likely between some swans in the pond beneath. I could see two adults with…
Chilly but bright
A lovely day for a walk along the millstream to the Downslink, Stretham Bridge and back through the fields. Fairly quiet to start with, very little noted. There was a single Cormorant in the oak tree, but looked like an altercation was likely between some swans in the pond beneath. I could see two adults with…
Latest Sightings
Woodcock in the garden
I surprised a Woodcock in the garden yesterday, feeding in a rough patch under the pergola, and this morning a Green Woodpecker spent some time digging out an ants’ nest in the grass. Two Greenfinches on the sunflower feeder all week and one Coal Tit, several Blue Tit's and Great Tits and a dozen House Sparrows,…
Woodcock in the garden
I surprised a Woodcock in the garden yesterday, feeding in a rough patch under the pergola, and this morning a Green Woodpecker spent some time digging out an ants’ nest in the grass. Two Greenfinches on the sunflower feeder all week and one Coal Tit, several Blue Tit's and Great Tits and a dozen House Sparrows,…
Latest Sightings
Water Pipit
A Water Pipit found on the Levels south of Rye Farm this morning. (DB)
Ed's note: This is only the eighth record of this species for Henfield. The first two were from 1983 and 1984 respectively, and then it wasn't until January 2020 that the next one was recorded, again on Rye Levels. The next five records,…
Water Pipit
A Water Pipit found on the Levels south of Rye Farm this morning. (DB)
Ed's note: This is only the eighth record of this species for Henfield. The first two were from 1983 and 1984 respectively, and then it wasn't until January 2020 that the next one was recorded, again on Rye Levels. The next five records,…
Latest Sightings
Waiting for the Reed Buntings
Last year the Reed Buntings returned to our garden on Dropping Holms in mid October but still no sign of them yet this year. It'll be interesting to see if the drop in temperature next week brings them in. The photograph is by Paula Blake
(Brian L) 20th November 2021
Waiting for the Reed Buntings
Last year the Reed Buntings returned to our garden on Dropping Holms in mid October but still no sign of them yet this year. It'll be interesting to see if the drop in temperature next week brings them in. The photograph is by Paula Blake
(Brian L) 20th November 2021
Latest Sightings
Balcony birding.... again
Very enjoyable coffee on the balcony this morning as the skies above us were busy with birds flying over. A distant flock of 40 ducks emerged to be Wigeon as they got nearer, flying up from the Levels northward followed by another group of about 25. Next up flying right over the house was a mixed flock of…
Balcony birding.... again
Very enjoyable coffee on the balcony this morning as the skies above us were busy with birds flying over. A distant flock of 40 ducks emerged to be Wigeon as they got nearer, flying up from the Levels northward followed by another group of about 25. Next up flying right over the house was a mixed flock of…
Latest Sightings
Area Walk
Six proud walkers met yesterday morning for the area walk around The Levels. One of the first birds we heard was a Song Thrush tuning up, then a Goldcrest and Coal Tit were heard in the stretch just after the Cabin. We didn’t attempt the “limbo” path and fields which looked really difficult to navigate. However, we went…
Area Walk
Six proud walkers met yesterday morning for the area walk around The Levels. One of the first birds we heard was a Song Thrush tuning up, then a Goldcrest and Coal Tit were heard in the stretch just after the Cabin. We didn’t attempt the “limbo” path and fields which looked really difficult to navigate. However, we went…
Latest Sightings
Wetland Bird Survey
With not a lot of flooding around in the West End Levels, recording wetland birds was bit of an uphill struggle this morning. By Frogshole a flock of 15 Snipe popped up, flying together in a tight formation before disappearing over the treeline. And that was about it. Also added to the list was 2 Mallards, 2 Grey…
Wetland Bird Survey
With not a lot of flooding around in the West End Levels, recording wetland birds was bit of an uphill struggle this morning. By Frogshole a flock of 15 Snipe popped up, flying together in a tight formation before disappearing over the treeline. And that was about it. Also added to the list was 2 Mallards, 2 Grey…
Latest Sightings
Quiet by the river
Walked a circuit from Stonepit Lane to the river at West End, then up to the fishermen’s track. Lovely morning, but pretty quiet. The only sighting of note was a Kingfisher which called then gave a brief glimpse as it zipped along a stream between the river and what was Adam’s yard. (VB) 7th November 2021
Quiet by the river
Walked a circuit from Stonepit Lane to the river at West End, then up to the fishermen’s track. Lovely morning, but pretty quiet. The only sighting of note was a Kingfisher which called then gave a brief glimpse as it zipped along a stream between the river and what was Adam’s yard. (VB) 7th November 2021
Latest Sightings
Grey Wagtail
We saw the Grey Wagtail in the garden again this morning. Very skittish. (NC/DC) 7th November 2021
Grey Wagtail
We saw the Grey Wagtail in the garden again this morning. Very skittish. (NC/DC) 7th November 2021
Latest Sightings
Rye Farm triumphs again!
The weather was too lovely to sit in front of a computer so we took a quick walk down the track to Rye Farm and the view of the line of orange barked poplars glistening in the late afternoon sun and reflecting in the mirror smooth floodwater was breathtaking; the birds weren't bad either!
The Grey Wagtail…
Rye Farm triumphs again!
The weather was too lovely to sit in front of a computer so we took a quick walk down the track to Rye Farm and the view of the line of orange barked poplars glistening in the late afternoon sun and reflecting in the mirror smooth floodwater was breathtaking; the birds weren't bad either!
The Grey Wagtail…
Latest Sightings
The Mill Stream
A very nice stroll along the Mill Stream to the railway line and back yesterday morning. Nice flock of Long-tailed Tits at the start, then all was fairly quiet on the outward leg. Several Cormorants were in their usual tree. On the way back I noticed a family of Mute Swans – 2 adult with three youngsters – in the wet…
The Mill Stream
A very nice stroll along the Mill Stream to the railway line and back yesterday morning. Nice flock of Long-tailed Tits at the start, then all was fairly quiet on the outward leg. Several Cormorants were in their usual tree. On the way back I noticed a family of Mute Swans – 2 adult with three youngsters – in the wet…
Latest Sightings
A quiet walk and a couple of noisy moments
The wildfowl on the floods by Rye Farm this morning consisted mainly of Greylag and Canada Geese, maybe a couple of hundred of each, a few Shoveler, quite a lot of Wigeon a family of Mute Swans with 2 juniors, a Grey Heron, but not a lot else. Two Crows were harassing a Buzzard. When I walked…
A quiet walk and a couple of noisy moments
The wildfowl on the floods by Rye Farm this morning consisted mainly of Greylag and Canada Geese, maybe a couple of hundred of each, a few Shoveler, quite a lot of Wigeon a family of Mute Swans with 2 juniors, a Grey Heron, but not a lot else. Two Crows were harassing a Buzzard. When I walked…
Latest Sightings
Grey Wagtail
A Grey Wagtail in our garden this morning. (DC/NC) 2nd November 2021
Grey Wagtail
A Grey Wagtail in our garden this morning. (DC/NC) 2nd November 2021