1999-2024 Celebrating 25 years of Birding
This is a significant year for Henfield Birdwatch as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. We are looking forward to an exciting year of activities – all of which are free for members!
There are walks and talks going on all year. Keep an eye on the Events for Members section, join the Facebook Group and look out for the Newsletters for more information.
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.
Latest Sightings
Nightingale and Cuckoo
Last night I went to sleep to the beautiful song of a Nightingale for the very first time at the end of West End Lane!
And this morning I woke to my first Cuckoo of the year!
Samantha Bernon, 14th April 2024 14th April 2024
Nightingale and Cuckoo
Last night I went to sleep to the beautiful song of a Nightingale for the very first time at the end of West End Lane!
And this morning I woke to my first Cuckoo of the year!
Samantha Bernon, 14th April 2024 14th April 2024
Latest Sightings
Black-necked Grebes
Plus at least half a dozen Little Egret nests in the heronry, with three Grey Heron occupied nests. Jannet King was looking at them, and some chaps there said there were also Cattle Egrets there. They had huge lenses so may have been right, but I couldn’t pick them out.
Val Bentley, 13th April 2024 14th April…
Black-necked Grebes
Plus at least half a dozen Little Egret nests in the heronry, with three Grey Heron occupied nests. Jannet King was looking at them, and some chaps there said there were also Cattle Egrets there. They had huge lenses so may have been right, but I couldn’t pick them out.
Val Bentley, 13th April 2024 14th April…
Latest Sightings
Nightingale on the Downslink
I heard and then saw a Nightingale this morning low in the bushes by the side of the downslink three hundred yards or so south of Betley Bridge. Very loud and practising all the riffs!
Tony Fitzgerald, 11th April 2024
11th April 2024
Nightingale on the Downslink
I heard and then saw a Nightingale this morning low in the bushes by the side of the downslink three hundred yards or so south of Betley Bridge. Very loud and practising all the riffs!
Tony Fitzgerald, 11th April 2024
11th April 2024
Latest Sightings
Black-necked Grebes
Thanks to an earlier report from Dave Buckingham, Mike and I are standing at the wooden gate on the Downslink (past the first viewing bench) overlooking the Levels and Rye Farm, watching a pair of Black-necked Grebes in summer plumage. According to Paul, this is a first record for Henfield. They're slowly drifting…
Black-necked Grebes
Thanks to an earlier report from Dave Buckingham, Mike and I are standing at the wooden gate on the Downslink (past the first viewing bench) overlooking the Levels and Rye Farm, watching a pair of Black-necked Grebes in summer plumage. According to Paul, this is a first record for Henfield. They're slowly drifting…
Latest Sightings
Black-necked Grebes
Two Black-necked Grebes on the Levels, last noted at TQ204147.
David Buckingham, 11th April 2024 11th April 2024
Black-necked Grebes
Two Black-necked Grebes on the Levels, last noted at TQ204147.
David Buckingham, 11th April 2024 11th April 2024
Latest Sightings
Willow Warbler
A Willow Warbler at Swains Farm Shop! Not shopping and definitely not stopping!
Will Green, 10th April 2024 10th April 2024
Willow Warbler
A Willow Warbler at Swains Farm Shop! Not shopping and definitely not stopping!
Will Green, 10th April 2024 10th April 2024
Latest Sightings
Cuckoo
We heard our first Cuckoo of the year here in Furners Lane yesterday afternoon, in the fields behind Field House
Alan and Ann Burnage, 10th April 2024 10th April 2024
Cuckoo
We heard our first Cuckoo of the year here in Furners Lane yesterday afternoon, in the fields behind Field House
Alan and Ann Burnage, 10th April 2024 10th April 2024
Latest Sightings
Nightingale
While letting Ziggy out for his pre-bed pee and to put food out for the old vixen I was delighted to hear a Nightingale singing loud and clear here at Oreham Common.
John Pointing, 10th April 2024 10th April 2024
Nightingale
While letting Ziggy out for his pre-bed pee and to put food out for the old vixen I was delighted to hear a Nightingale singing loud and clear here at Oreham Common.
John Pointing, 10th April 2024 10th April 2024
Latest Sightings
Another migrant arrival
Hardly any wildfowl around now, though didn’t go as far south as the heronry this morning. Could only find Coots, Mallards, 9 Tufted Ducks about 20 Shoveler, a lone Gadwall, a handful of Canada & Greylag Geese, one Egyptian Goose, a few Lapwings and 50 or so Herring Gulls. There were a pair of Teal asleep…
Another migrant arrival
Hardly any wildfowl around now, though didn’t go as far south as the heronry this morning. Could only find Coots, Mallards, 9 Tufted Ducks about 20 Shoveler, a lone Gadwall, a handful of Canada & Greylag Geese, one Egyptian Goose, a few Lapwings and 50 or so Herring Gulls. There were a pair of Teal asleep…
Latest Sightings
Woods Mill and Mill Stream
Woods Mill, 08:30-10:15. On the reserve a Reed Warbler was singing alongside a Cetti’s Warbler. No sound here of the Nightingale reported three days ago, nor the Cuckoo reported this morning. However, over the road, along the Mill Stream three Nightingales were in full, bubbling song and a Cuckoo too, over…
Woods Mill and Mill Stream
Woods Mill, 08:30-10:15. On the reserve a Reed Warbler was singing alongside a Cetti’s Warbler. No sound here of the Nightingale reported three days ago, nor the Cuckoo reported this morning. However, over the road, along the Mill Stream three Nightingales were in full, bubbling song and a Cuckoo too, over…
Latest Sightings
Springtime
Towards the end of Ziggy's walk we sat beside the lakes. At last the Canada Geese have made a nest and the goose was sitting while her mate was is close attendance. I've been nagging them for weeks to get a move on! Last year for the first time in over 30 years the Canadas didn't nest. So I was very pleased to sit and watch…
Springtime
Towards the end of Ziggy's walk we sat beside the lakes. At last the Canada Geese have made a nest and the goose was sitting while her mate was is close attendance. I've been nagging them for weeks to get a move on! Last year for the first time in over 30 years the Canadas didn't nest. So I was very pleased to sit and watch…
Latest Sightings
And a Great Crested Grebe
Forgot to mention the solitary Great Crested Grebe on the water seen earlier. Didn't see a partner.
Tony Fitzgerald, 7th April 2024 9th April 2024
And a Great Crested Grebe
Forgot to mention the solitary Great Crested Grebe on the water seen earlier. Didn't see a partner.
Tony Fitzgerald, 7th April 2024 9th April 2024
Latest Sightings
Swallows
Walked over a windy Rye Farm this morning. I was just enjoying the acrobatics being performed by the crows when in came four Swallows - the first I've seen this spring - soaring and skimming over the water. Beautiful in the binos, then from stage right a Kestrel hovering and high above a Buzzard. Nice morning!
Tony Fitzgerald,…
Swallows
Walked over a windy Rye Farm this morning. I was just enjoying the acrobatics being performed by the crows when in came four Swallows - the first I've seen this spring - soaring and skimming over the water. Beautiful in the binos, then from stage right a Kestrel hovering and high above a Buzzard. Nice morning!
Tony Fitzgerald,…
Latest Sightings
Singing Nightingale
Really good to hear a Nightingale singing it's head off in the hedge along the Mill Stream this morning. What was quite odd was a Reed Warbler singing quietly in a thin stretch of Reeds along the floodline at Rye Farm. Apparently there was a big influx of Reed Warblers into the country overnight. Six White-fronted…
Singing Nightingale
Really good to hear a Nightingale singing it's head off in the hedge along the Mill Stream this morning. What was quite odd was a Reed Warbler singing quietly in a thin stretch of Reeds along the floodline at Rye Farm. Apparently there was a big influx of Reed Warblers into the country overnight. Six White-fronted…
Latest Sightings
Our first spring chick
We've had a very tame Blackbird over the last few weeks or so. He's rather partial to raisins and is there first thing in the morning demanding his treats. He's also been brilliant at finding worms on the lawn and flying off with them and this afternoon, a very speckled chubby fledgeling appeared in the garden.…
Our first spring chick
We've had a very tame Blackbird over the last few weeks or so. He's rather partial to raisins and is there first thing in the morning demanding his treats. He's also been brilliant at finding worms on the lawn and flying off with them and this afternoon, a very speckled chubby fledgeling appeared in the garden.…
Latest Sightings
Tuesday potter
With weekend visitors having departed and a pleasant sunny morning, there was time for a wander down the railway line and back through the fields.
Most of the wildfowl seems to have departed, but there were still about 50 Shoveler, roughly the same number of Teal, a handful of Wigeon and a pair of Tufted Ducks. Difficult…
Tuesday potter
With weekend visitors having departed and a pleasant sunny morning, there was time for a wander down the railway line and back through the fields.
Most of the wildfowl seems to have departed, but there were still about 50 Shoveler, roughly the same number of Teal, a handful of Wigeon and a pair of Tufted Ducks. Difficult…
Latest Sightings
Saturday walk
We walked through Broadmere Common, or rather battled our way through the mud where we saw a Nuthatch on the ground and heard a Goldfinch (thanks to Merlin), then we walked through the fields beside that farmhouse whose name I can never remember and along the river where we saw a Kestrel on the pylon wires, a Lapwing…
Saturday walk
We walked through Broadmere Common, or rather battled our way through the mud where we saw a Nuthatch on the ground and heard a Goldfinch (thanks to Merlin), then we walked through the fields beside that farmhouse whose name I can never remember and along the river where we saw a Kestrel on the pylon wires, a Lapwing…
Latest Sightings
Finch feast
Looking out at the feeders first thing this morning, a blaze of colour greeted me to brighten up the grey start to the day. A Nuthatch was busily hacking away at the suet bar while three species of finch were feasting on the sunflower seeds, Goldfinches and Greenfinches, the males looking resplendent in their full breeding…
Finch feast
Looking out at the feeders first thing this morning, a blaze of colour greeted me to brighten up the grey start to the day. A Nuthatch was busily hacking away at the suet bar while three species of finch were feasting on the sunflower seeds, Goldfinches and Greenfinches, the males looking resplendent in their full breeding…
Latest Sightings
Woodlarks
For the second morning I heard the familiar calls of the above, only a quarter of a mile from where I saw some last winter. However they seem to be spring visitors, so I'm holding my breath for them to stay with definite sightings on the long field between my house and Bilsborough. My fear is that soon the return of farm…
Woodlarks
For the second morning I heard the familiar calls of the above, only a quarter of a mile from where I saw some last winter. However they seem to be spring visitors, so I'm holding my breath for them to stay with definite sightings on the long field between my house and Bilsborough. My fear is that soon the return of farm…
Latest Sightings
Nest prospecting
Unexpected visit of a pair of Pied Wagtails to our just-lopped front garden cordyline. We saw them from our bedroom window, so they were only a few feet away and a little below us. They were attracted by a freshly cut dead branch, whose inner root looked like a possible nest cup. The lining of the trunk and branches…
Nest prospecting
Unexpected visit of a pair of Pied Wagtails to our just-lopped front garden cordyline. We saw them from our bedroom window, so they were only a few feet away and a little below us. They were attracted by a freshly cut dead branch, whose inner root looked like a possible nest cup. The lining of the trunk and branches…
Latest Sightings
Spring in the Garden
Yesterday we spent a lovely few hours in the sunshine.
Two Robins and a Blackbird gobbled up the meal worms and another male Blackbird pulled worms from the grass, added a few meal worms and flew off to its nest and back for more. A Blue Tit continued pecking in the Tit box, poking its head out occasionally…
Spring in the Garden
Yesterday we spent a lovely few hours in the sunshine.
Two Robins and a Blackbird gobbled up the meal worms and another male Blackbird pulled worms from the grass, added a few meal worms and flew off to its nest and back for more. A Blue Tit continued pecking in the Tit box, poking its head out occasionally…
Latest Sightings
Recent sightings
Singing Greenfinch along Staples Barn and a Chiffchaff by the Railway pub car park gave some hope that spring might arrive soon; there was also a Red-legged Partridge sprinting across Furners Lane north of Park Farm.
Paul Cole, 26th March 2024 28th March 2024
Recent sightings
Singing Greenfinch along Staples Barn and a Chiffchaff by the Railway pub car park gave some hope that spring might arrive soon; there was also a Red-legged Partridge sprinting across Furners Lane north of Park Farm.
Paul Cole, 26th March 2024 28th March 2024
Latest Sightings
Early morning start
I had a very early start this morning as my body clock is clearly getting ready for the clocks going forward at the weekend. So I decided to go down the Millstream. Of course what used to be a nice little path at the side of the stream is now turned into a wide swathe, but the mud has pretty well gone,…
Early morning start
I had a very early start this morning as my body clock is clearly getting ready for the clocks going forward at the weekend. So I decided to go down the Millstream. Of course what used to be a nice little path at the side of the stream is now turned into a wide swathe, but the mud has pretty well gone,…
Latest Sightings
Great White Egret
Far fewer wildfowl around this morning, but Dave Buckingham was in his customary spot overlooking the Brooks! Also caught up with the Great White Egret which I’d missed previously. It was doing its best to look inconspicuous among some Little Egrets, but not succeeding!
Val Bentley, 25th March 2024 28th March…
Great White Egret
Far fewer wildfowl around this morning, but Dave Buckingham was in his customary spot overlooking the Brooks! Also caught up with the Great White Egret which I’d missed previously. It was doing its best to look inconspicuous among some Little Egrets, but not succeeding!
Val Bentley, 25th March 2024 28th March…
Latest Sightings
More Swallows... and Cattle Egrets
I saw Dave B scanning the Brooks this morning. He reported two Swallows heading north – no chance of me seeing them! However I did see three Shelducks and he pointed out that two of the 14 or so white blobs were Cattle Egrets. Also directed me to a Peregrine in a distant field, though again, I…
More Swallows... and Cattle Egrets
I saw Dave B scanning the Brooks this morning. He reported two Swallows heading north – no chance of me seeing them! However I did see three Shelducks and he pointed out that two of the 14 or so white blobs were Cattle Egrets. Also directed me to a Peregrine in a distant field, though again, I…
Latest Sightings
The 1st Swallow
While walking Ziggy this morning on the land adjoining Woods Mill my first Swallow of the year flew over, poor thing it didn't choose a very good day to arrive back as we seem to have returned to Winter. A fine looking Chiffchaff serenaded me from just above my head as it flitted from branch to branch.
John Pointing,…
The 1st Swallow
While walking Ziggy this morning on the land adjoining Woods Mill my first Swallow of the year flew over, poor thing it didn't choose a very good day to arrive back as we seem to have returned to Winter. A fine looking Chiffchaff serenaded me from just above my head as it flitted from branch to branch.
John Pointing,…
Latest Sightings
Singing Blackcap
Today I heard it singing in our hedge, looked out of the window and there it was, proudly proclaiming itself. Lovely!
Debbie Colgate, 22nd March 2024 28th March 2024
Singing Blackcap
Today I heard it singing in our hedge, looked out of the window and there it was, proudly proclaiming itself. Lovely!
Debbie Colgate, 22nd March 2024 28th March 2024
Latest Sightings
Snipe on the Common!
Had a message from Libby Morris on the sightings email address to say that she and Graham Lyons had been searching for invertebrates on the Common and had put up nine Snipe from the reedbed, plus had a yellowhammer fly over and a Skylark singing.
And at the SDOS meeting on Thursday Sally H told me there had…
Snipe on the Common!
Had a message from Libby Morris on the sightings email address to say that she and Graham Lyons had been searching for invertebrates on the Common and had put up nine Snipe from the reedbed, plus had a yellowhammer fly over and a Skylark singing.
And at the SDOS meeting on Thursday Sally H told me there had…
Latest Sightings
Spoonbill on the Levels
A Spoonbill was present on Rye Farm Levels this morning.
Angela Thyer, 21st March 2024
21st March 2024
Spoonbill on the Levels
A Spoonbill was present on Rye Farm Levels this morning.
Angela Thyer, 21st March 2024
21st March 2024
Latest Sightings
Snipe on the Common!
I ad a message from Libby Morris on the sightings email address to say that she and Graham Lyons had been searching for invertebrates on the Common and had put up nine Snipe from the reedbed, plus had a Yellowhammer fly over and a Skylark singing.
Val Bentley, 19th March 2024 19th March 2024
Snipe on the Common!
I ad a message from Libby Morris on the sightings email address to say that she and Graham Lyons had been searching for invertebrates on the Common and had put up nine Snipe from the reedbed, plus had a Yellowhammer fly over and a Skylark singing.
Val Bentley, 19th March 2024 19th March 2024
Latest Sightings
Downslink
I was down the Downslink this morning and saw Little Egrets but there was also a Great White Egret which was at the back of the field that adjoins the heronry. Also a couple of Grey Herons on nests. A pair of Lapwings were territorial displaying near the Downslink in the field next to the Mill Stream, while there were also…
Downslink
I was down the Downslink this morning and saw Little Egrets but there was also a Great White Egret which was at the back of the field that adjoins the heronry. Also a couple of Grey Herons on nests. A pair of Lapwings were territorial displaying near the Downslink in the field next to the Mill Stream, while there were also…