At PB the Pink-footed Goose on the North Brooks; some White-fronted Geese close to Westmead Hide; Firecrest seen by some (but the Water Rail's batteries look to be flat!). At Waltham Brooks still four Short-eared Owls performing and two Hen Harriers.

Family of Bewick's Swans near the Adur northwest of Henfield this afternoon, 2 adults and 2 youngsters. This morning a Goldcrest was in full song in my neighbour's garden in central Henfield.

A reminder to all who have already booked that the Conference is this Saturday 28th at Clair Hall, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, registration & coffee from 9.30, programme starts 10.30. Apparently, our local experts say that there is a Saturday market in the Broadway, so there will be diversions to avoid this road (which is an extension of Perrymount Road) - please follow as directed. Parking at the hall is limited, so if it is full please use the station car park, which charges £5 or £6 for the day. There have been a couple of last minute cancellations, so we have a very few spare places now. If you are interested, please contact Val Bentley on secretary@sos.org.uk ASAP - thanks

We went for a walk along the Serpent Trail near The Mens nature reserve in the west of the county. Highlights were several Buzzards, a large flock of siskins, a couple of redwings, several tit flocks, a treecreeper, a great spotted woodpecker and best of all a small flock of crossbills including three smart red males one of which sat still long enough to get a photo.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE seen again today at 1.50 pm at dam end of Weir Wood Reservoir between footpath and water. Seen from footpath east of the picnic area. Appeared undisturbed by nearby anglers.

Having been alerted by Jake Everitt that the shrike was seen yesterday at Weir Wood, I thought I'd give it a go this afternoon. Roughly 450yds along the footpath from the dam the bird was seen quite well between the path and the water's edge, it was a superb bird as they always seem to be. Also here a few Fieldfare and some 55-60 Linnets. Mrs D, the dog and myself then made our way to the west end, here the three Green Sandpipers and six Gadwall remain among 80+ Teal. Also noted among 155 Black-headed Gulls were two adult Lesser Black-backed and 43 Common Gulls. Two Stock Doves and a Great spotted Woodpecker were also added. I wonder how many shrikes there are in the Ashdown/Weir Wood area now. A photo is attached of today's bird.

A female blackcap took a bath in the pond this morning. The first wintering blackcap seen in this garden (10+ years).

A juvenile ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD gave good views for 15 mins at midday at Glynde Reach, in a tree between the river and railway just east of the bridge, before it flew west towards Mount Caburn and I could not find it again. Also a Common Buzzard, 100+ Fieldfares and 2 Chiffchaffs there.

Thanks to Dave Cooper for yesterday's entry on this page I went to Newhaven Harbour and saw one of the two ICELAND GULLS - the second year one which I suppose is as white as this species gets (pic attached).

Stunning close up views of three Snow Buntings at Widewater today, on beach opposite the houses at far west end of Lagoon. So close could not view them clearly in my binoculars, and even managed to get a pic on my camera phone! The light was perfect and they seemed much more attractive than the last time I saw them 3-4 weeks back (range of golds, bronzes, greys, black and white). Is it me, or has their plumage started to change?

Started at Burpham. Lots of buzzards, got ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, Merlin, Red Kite, lots of Grey Partridges and Corn Buntings. Then off to Fishbourne Creek didn't get Little Stint but there were 30 yellowhammers in church yard. Got Cattle Egret at Warblington, Shore Lark showing well at Hayling oyster beds, great day out, ran out of time for purple sands, ring-billed gull & Iceland gull.

Have just seen blue tit going into nesting box in the garden. Is this a bit early?

Old Lodge: 5 Crossbills (1m 4f) showing well in the conifers leading down to the 'bridge'. In the valley opposite Gills Lap car park the GREAT GREY SHRIKE showing well on the tops of trees. About six weeks ago we visited Weir Wood Reservoir (bird hide end) and there was no water at all only grass showing, this time a little water with 8 Herons on the bank and 2 distant Snipe. A good day if you could keep out of the wind.

Watched a buzzard for quite a while on the Downs near the A27 at Sompting this morning.

One Bittern roosted in the usual spot left of the viewing platform; one Woodcock at Lord's Piece.

Clouds of goldfinches feeding on the reed seed heads, plenty of long-tailed tits - both obliging for photo opportunities. Little egret stalking a ditch.

The Shore Lark was showing well today at Hayling Island at the oyster beds. We spotted the bird by post D. Unfortunately we didn't spot any Black-necked Grebes, however, there were 3 Red-breasted Mergansers.

Ardingly Resevoir 08:30 - 13:30: A good variety of species with sightings of 8 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Grey Herons, 1 Red Kite, 4 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, a Tawny Owl tucked away in the tree branches adjacent the Kingfisher hide, large numbers of finches feeding in the conifers including Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpolls, amongst these were good numbers of Common Crossbills. Good numbers of Great Tits with Long-tailed Tits and Marsh Tit showing at various points. On the Resevoir itself good numbers of Greylag Geese, Canada Geese and a single White-fronted Goose.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE at dam end of Weir Wood Reservoir between the water and the Millenium walk. It was showing well from the top of a bush. Sighting was late morning

Four Mediterranean Gulls were on the beach at low tide this afternoon, amongst several hundred Herring and Black-headed Gulls. Also, one Common Gull and a dozen or so Turnstones.