I took my birdwatching course up the Mill Stream to the Downslink and Henfield Levels yesterday morning and it was real treat to be out in the sun and seeing and hearing lots of species, 48 in total. A number of Chiffchaff were in good voice as were the Skylarks singing their hearts out in the big field where also Stonechats sat up nicely demanding to be seen. A few Meadow Pipits displayed their parachuting breeding song, a small flock of Linnets took to the air and we found a single Reed Bunting. Three Buzzards thermalled in the warming air and Kestrel hunted over the fields while a Little Egret was stalking in the wet area and we just managed to spy a Shoveler amongst the reeds. On the Downslink, a solitary Grey Heron sat on a nest while five Cormorants sat in the tree above the heronry. The water on the Henfield Levels has more or less diminished with one deeper channel left where a number of Wigeon, a few Teal and Mallard and a solitary Pintail resided but the highlights here where when we found the previously reported Water Pipit and amongst a number of Lapwing there was a Little Ringed Plover which I think is a new Henfield bird for me! All this and a kronking Raven in the distance added a a really great morning’s local birding. (MR)