10 of us + Maya the collie at Ferring this morning; We met Ferring birder Clive at the beach at 9.30, and a little later another Ferring resident, David, was able to join us for a while. There was nothing to be seen out to sea, though Clive reported Wheatears, a group of Whimbrels and several Sandwich Terns earlier – of course!

Along the Rife spring migrants and residents were singing very well; among them were Song Thrushes, Greenfinches, Robins, Blackcaps Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. Several of us got to see the Willow Warbler as it sang, which was delightful. Grey Herons were coming & going, and a Little Egret was looking extremely photogenic, even holding its yellow foot up for everyone to see! A Sparrowhawk flew over, as did a couple of Swallows, and in the fields to the west Skylarks were serenading. Scratchy song of Whitethroat heard too. A Buzzard went over while we were enjoying a cuppa at the Ferring Country Centre.

Back at the beach a Great Crested Grebe was about the only bird on the water, and some Brent Geese did a flypast.

Lovely warm morning, good company, and special thanks to Clive for showing us around his local patch – the only disappointment for me was the lack of choice of cakes at the country centre!

Thanks to Ian for photos of Greenfinch, Little Egret and butterfly, Goldfinch pic is mine.

ovely warm morning, good company, and special thanks to Clive for showing us around his local patch – the only disappointment for me was the lack of choice of cakes at the country centre!