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.
We’ve just updated our Bird Identification page to include Egrets and similar birds. Head over there to enjoy some fantastic pictures of birds you can (sometimes!) find in Henfield.
Latest Sightings
Marsh Harrier
A male Marsh Harrier gave some good views as it flew past us yesterday downriver from New Inn. Still only the eighth record for the Parish. Also seen en-route to the river was a Great White Egret, which flew over Stonepit Lane heading east.
Paul Cole & Roger French, 16th March 2025 17th March 2025
Marsh Harrier
A male Marsh Harrier gave some good views as it flew past us yesterday downriver from New Inn. Still only the eighth record for the Parish. Also seen en-route to the river was a Great White Egret, which flew over Stonepit Lane heading east.
Paul Cole & Roger French, 16th March 2025 17th March 2025
Latest Sightings
Two Woodies (not peckers!)
This morning we were walking along the Long Field and saw two birds flying up to a tree. I thought I had heard their call last week and was pleased to have guessed right for a change, a pair of Woodlarks. Lets hope they stay. On the way back, a single Woodcock flew out of the dead bracken on the edge of…
Two Woodies (not peckers!)
This morning we were walking along the Long Field and saw two birds flying up to a tree. I thought I had heard their call last week and was pleased to have guessed right for a change, a pair of Woodlarks. Lets hope they stay. On the way back, a single Woodcock flew out of the dead bracken on the edge of…
Latest Sightings
Watch out fruit buds!
Enjoyed a wander round Swains fields and the alder wood this morning with Ezio and (guest for the morning) Shanta. Hadn’t previously noticed the lovely bench in the community orchard, but it was a welcome five minute rest in beautiful sunshine. A Chiffchaff was in good voice in the trees of the sandpit, I heard…
Watch out fruit buds!
Enjoyed a wander round Swains fields and the alder wood this morning with Ezio and (guest for the morning) Shanta. Hadn’t previously noticed the lovely bench in the community orchard, but it was a welcome five minute rest in beautiful sunshine. A Chiffchaff was in good voice in the trees of the sandpit, I heard…
Latest Sightings
Area 2 walk
Angela, Roger, Hazel and I had a lovely if sometimes chilly walk today. Highlights were 5 or 6 singing Greenfinches, singing Chiffchaffs and Skylarks, a pair of Mistle Thrushes with one collecting a beakful of moss for nesting, a mixed group of Redwing and Fieldfares and just for Hazel a pair of Red Kites flying together.
Nigel…
Area 2 walk
Angela, Roger, Hazel and I had a lovely if sometimes chilly walk today. Highlights were 5 or 6 singing Greenfinches, singing Chiffchaffs and Skylarks, a pair of Mistle Thrushes with one collecting a beakful of moss for nesting, a mixed group of Redwing and Fieldfares and just for Hazel a pair of Red Kites flying together.
Nigel…
Latest Sightings
Buzzards
Four circling over this lunchtime.
Also...more carnage in the garden. This time a Sparrowhawk and Woodpigeon, we didn't see the event just a load of feathers where the bird was grabbed. We think it must have been a female hawk because the pigeon was carried off to be eaten.
Debbie Colgate, 10th March 2025 17th March…
Buzzards
Four circling over this lunchtime.
Also...more carnage in the garden. This time a Sparrowhawk and Woodpigeon, we didn't see the event just a load of feathers where the bird was grabbed. We think it must have been a female hawk because the pigeon was carried off to be eaten.
Debbie Colgate, 10th March 2025 17th March…
Latest Sightings
Spring sightings
Four Lapwing trying to see off a Raven on the Adur this morning between Stonepit Lane and Betley Bridge. Also Skylarks, a couple of Reed Buntings, a Red Kite, many Jackdaws and closer to the bridge two Egyptian Geese.
Spring has sprung!
Tony Fitzgerald, 10th March 2025 17th March 2025
Spring sightings
Four Lapwing trying to see off a Raven on the Adur this morning between Stonepit Lane and Betley Bridge. Also Skylarks, a couple of Reed Buntings, a Red Kite, many Jackdaws and closer to the bridge two Egyptian Geese.
Spring has sprung!
Tony Fitzgerald, 10th March 2025 17th March 2025
Latest Sightings
Unexpected sightings
We walk my 2 Black Labradors most mornings by Furners Lane, and the wet weather at the start of last week brought a Cormorant, 40 Greylag, 2 Canada and a sole Egyptian goose to the fields near Park Farm
Then last Saturday we saw a group of 4 Grey Wagtails in a field with sheep next to Park Farm though the sheep…
Unexpected sightings
We walk my 2 Black Labradors most mornings by Furners Lane, and the wet weather at the start of last week brought a Cormorant, 40 Greylag, 2 Canada and a sole Egyptian goose to the fields near Park Farm
Then last Saturday we saw a group of 4 Grey Wagtails in a field with sheep next to Park Farm though the sheep…
Latest Sightings
All happening today!
All happening today. As we were driving past Woods Mill this morning, a Swallow flew right in front of us! First of the year fur us and a very early arrival but the southerly winds we're enjoying at the moment will encourage these early migrants. Sadly, it's looking like it's not going to last though. (Editor's…
All happening today!
All happening today. As we were driving past Woods Mill this morning, a Swallow flew right in front of us! First of the year fur us and a very early arrival but the southerly winds we're enjoying at the moment will encourage these early migrants. Sadly, it's looking like it's not going to last though. (Editor's…
Latest Sightings
Amazing Balcony Record!
This glorious weather this morning bought us both out on the balcony for coffee this morning and at one point we heard the distinct call of a Mediterranean Gull and then another. We looked upwards and located a couple, then a few more and in the end we counted 29 of them circling in a thermal right above…
Amazing Balcony Record!
This glorious weather this morning bought us both out on the balcony for coffee this morning and at one point we heard the distinct call of a Mediterranean Gull and then another. We looked upwards and located a couple, then a few more and in the end we counted 29 of them circling in a thermal right above…
Latest Sightings
The Brooks on the 7th.
Had got a bit bored with walking down the railway line to the heronry and having to retrace my steps, so this morning Ezio & I hopped onto the 100 bus, got off at Woods Mill and walked along the millstream and back home. Chiffchaff, Reed Buntings and Skylarks singing along the millstream, a Mute Swan was…
The Brooks on the 7th.
Had got a bit bored with walking down the railway line to the heronry and having to retrace my steps, so this morning Ezio & I hopped onto the 100 bus, got off at Woods Mill and walked along the millstream and back home. Chiffchaff, Reed Buntings and Skylarks singing along the millstream, a Mute Swan was…
Latest Sightings
Feeding Magpie?
This morning a Magpie collected a beak-full of mealworm and flew off. Possibly feeding young in an early nest?
Debbie Colgate, 5th March 2025 5th March 2025
Feeding Magpie?
This morning a Magpie collected a beak-full of mealworm and flew off. Possibly feeding young in an early nest?
Debbie Colgate, 5th March 2025 5th March 2025
Latest Sightings
Kingfisher
Just to say Kingfisher spotted on ponds at back of Swains, flitting between the two (one on the footpath).
Alex and Peter Hills, 3rd March 2025 4th March 2025
Kingfisher
Just to say Kingfisher spotted on ponds at back of Swains, flitting between the two (one on the footpath).
Alex and Peter Hills, 3rd March 2025 4th March 2025
Latest Sightings
Male Blackcap
Send her round here Debbie. We've had a male resident here with us for several weeks now, perhaps she would make him sing!
Les Cheeseman, 3rd March 2025 4th March 2025
Male Blackcap
Send her round here Debbie. We've had a male resident here with us for several weeks now, perhaps she would make him sing!
Les Cheeseman, 3rd March 2025 4th March 2025
Latest Sightings
Female Blackcap
On the apple in our garden this morning.
Debbie Colgate, 3rd March 2025 4th March 2025
Female Blackcap
On the apple in our garden this morning.
Debbie Colgate, 3rd March 2025 4th March 2025
Latest Sightings
Ravens overhead
Two Ravens flew over Bishop Park this afternoon, heading south-east.
Paul Cole, 3rd March 2025 4th March 2025
Ravens overhead
Two Ravens flew over Bishop Park this afternoon, heading south-east.
Paul Cole, 3rd March 2025 4th March 2025
Latest Sightings
Great White Egret
A Great White Egret was loafing around by Betley Bridge this morning.
Paul Cole, 2nd March 2025 4th March 2025
Great White Egret
A Great White Egret was loafing around by Betley Bridge this morning.
Paul Cole, 2nd March 2025 4th March 2025