We have a huge, 100+ flock of Jackdaws at the bottom of the garden, in the trees beside the Downslink. They seem to fly in from the fields around Betley, just before dusk. Very noisy!!
Les Cheeseman, 19tb July 2024
Bird Sightings
Birds (and other interesting things!) seen in and around our patch.
If you want to let us know of something you have seen on our patch, please contact sightings@henfieldbirdwatch.co.uk
I was pleased to see two very speckled youngsters feeding on the lawn this morning before the shower. I keep hearing them around so it was good the see them.
Angela Thyer, 16th July 2024
We have about four Swallow fledglings hatched, could be more, at Swains. First brood this year. Last year they managed two broods, so bit disappointing, probably weather related.
Also a pair of Linnets seen around there too.
Alex Hill, 12th July 2024
I have just been treated to a lovely prolonged song and flight display by a Sedge Warbler, just to the west of the causeway between Frogshole and Rye Farm. It didn’t stay still long enough for a photo.
Val Bentley, 9th July 2024
The last of the second brood House Sparrows fledged this morning, and made their first flight straight into the pouring rain! They looked distinctly unimpressed with the outside world!
Liz Taylor, 8th July 2024
Our tatty cock Blackbird was feeding a 3rd brood fledgling this morning, the fledgling looked about 33% bigger than the adult. A fledgling Greenfinch was being fed in the Green Alkanet.
Pauline and Hugh Colgate had a 2nd brood Pied Wagtail being fed in their garden this week.
Debbie Colgate, 8th July 2024
I’ve been playing Swift calls from my newly installed Swift boxes at the end of West End Lane and was thrilled today to see a group of around ten Swifts circling around above the house, until the resident male Kestrel landed on the roof and all the swifts disappeared into thin air!
Samantha Bernon, 5th July 2024
Two lovely young Greenfinches on my feeder this morning. The fledglings I’ve seen recently – at least six House Sparrows, two Blackbirds, one Robin and two Dunnock. Goldfinches are also back. Other visitors to the feeder have been two woodmice and a brown rat!
Jane English, 6th July 2024
The last few days have been busy on the Swift front with small parties screaming round existing nest sites.
Tony F and I have done a few Swift surveys, it appears that only one of the existing nesting sites is not active this year; we’ve been unable to record any activity at Southdown Galleries, which has been used for the last 4 years and possibly before that. If anyone hears a high pitched sound from under the eaves on the left hand side or sees a Swift going up there please let me know. A nest box that was put up in 2019 at the top of Broomfield Road has a pair of Swifts using it for the first time this year which is really exciting. Also another one of our nest boxes has had a pair of Swifts going in and out over the past two days, a male House Sparrow has also decided to use it as a nest and is busily chirping from the opening when the Swifts aren’t about.
Our High Street House Martins appear to be doing well. Of the 9 nests 7 are definitely active this year. It’s possible that the nest at Stokes is being used by House Sparrows. There is a new nest near the garage which I’ll keep an eye on. If any of you know of other House Martins nests please let me know the address, it’s impossible to cover the whole of Henfield!
Debbie Colgate, 30th June 2024
Whilst enjoying a few minutes in my happy place just now, (sitting at the bottom of the garden with a glass of wine) a screaming party of Swifts flew over. I counted accurately 58 but I reckon there must have been more. I guess they’re the non-breeding birds who have just come over for their ‘holidays’ and to prospect for good nesting sites for when they’re actually old enough to breed….
Lovely sight!
Lesley Milward, 30th June 2024