John Coit led the group (me) on the HBW walk to the Burgh. Maybe an indifferent weather forecast put people off. If so it was a great shame as we only had one shower and the sun actually made some appearances as the day wore on.

We made the usual stop before the Burgh to scan a chalk cliff at Amberley for the, as ever elusive, Peregrine but fared much better at the spot we parked the car as an obliging Raven sat atop a telegraph pole not too many yards away. We saw about four of these wonderful Corvids with their distinctive diamond shaped tails and powerful flight along with almost constant Red Kites and Buzzards which all make this remote feeling part of the Downs their home. It is amazing how quickly you feel cut off from the humdrum, noisy lower world when you climb up towards the Burgh.

However the first part of the trip is along the river valley where Swallows skimmed the pasture, Rooks cawed among the sheep and lambs, Blackbirds serenaded and Whitethroats sang scritchy-scratchy from the bushes. Along the river itself we were a bit surprised to see a small group of Gadwall among the Mallards and John identified a strange sound as emanating from a Mandarin Duck. In the reeds Reed Warblers chuntered to the accompaniment of Greenfinches and Goldfinches in the adjacent trees. There was no Cetti’s Warbler in the reeds but to our surprise one suddenly belted it out from a patch of scrub.

To reach the dreaded vertical steps up to the higher reaches we passed through some woods where to our great delight we heard the first of three singing Nightingales. One was so close we could only wonder how it eluded showing itself. The lovely Blackcap and Chiffchaff songs had to play second fiddle here I am afraid.

At last the steps. We had only mounted about half a dozen when the rain squall started but while sheltering under overhanging branches a Cuckoo cuckooed pretty close by though, like the Nightingale, it remained unseen.

After a clamber over a fallen tree (done very elegantly) we reached the top of the steps from where there were wonderful views.

Accompanied by overhead raptors and birdsong we walked along to the favoured picnic site for this trip where a Song Thrush sang to us while we munched.

John was fully alert over lunch checking for Grey Partridges but unfortunately, despite his efforts, we were not graced by their presence.

We started the trek back to the car and a Swift flew over and we picked up a couple of Linnets but another expected bird failed to turn up – Yellowhammer. Indeed it was not till near the end we heard and saw Skylarks.

We set off in the car after John had suggested stopping off at Rackham Plantation which I had never been to before. You can see the favoured White Tailed Eagle roost from there.

A stop by the chalk cliff this time provided that elusive Peregrine sitting up nicely on a ledge. We turned off the Storrington Road towards Rackham and then took a left into a wood of mixed evergreen and deciduous trees climbing onto an eminence which looks down over Amberley Brooks and towards RSPB Pulborough. It looked so wild and untouched by Sussex standards. At the top there are tumuli marking the last resting place of ancient people, possibly bird watchers!

With the help of John’s scope we found Grey Heron, Little Egret, three species of geese including Egyptian, a Little Grebe and a smattering of Herring and Black Headed Gulls. While looking at something completely different a dashing raptor went through the scope field of vision. It was a Hobby which we then watched on and off for the rest of the time we were up there. The first time I have seen a Hobby from above and it was really exciting watching it dash around after its tea.

Eventually it was time to go home and say good bye to this stunning view.

Nigel Colgate & John Coit