I managed to get lost on the drive to Ferring this morning.   Stupidly followed a sign at a roundabout which said turn right for Ferring, then further on there was a sign directing us back the way we came – could have spent all morning driving back and forward along that stretch of the A259!

Debbie, Nige, Eddie Roger K, George & Vikki, me and Ezio were joined for the morning by Clive Hope and David Bettis from Ferring, who guided us along explaining how the habitat bordering the Rife had been improved for wildlife and birds, though the brisk north-easterly wind meant that most were keeping low.  There was a good number of Chiffchaffs and Greenfinches singing, Long-tailed Tits hopping around a bush, Stock Doves showing off their iridescence in the fields, a Heron fishing at the side, and a Little Egret perched in some conifers, just where one was 2 (3?) years ago!

Clive spotted a Swallow fly over and a Sparrowhawk was soaring around in the sky.  I was hoping for a look over the beach and sea, but the tide was way out when we arrived, though Nige said he’d seen some pipits and an Oystercatcher, and too far in when we got back after a very leisurely coffee & cake stop at the Ferring Country Centre.