By Paul James

February in Sussex can feel like a month in transition, poised between the grip of winter and the first welcome hints of spring. For birders, it brings the slow ebb of winter visitors, a gradual reawakening of resident birds and, with luck, the eagerly anticipated arrival of the first summer migrants from the south.

Winter visitors

At the beginning of the month, winter still dominates the birding scene. Coastal estuaries and inland wetlands continue to support impressive concentrations of wildfowl and waders. Dark-bellied Brent Geese graze fields around Chichester and Pagham Harbours, while extensive mudflats exposed at low tide host large flocks of Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Knot and Redshank.

In the Arun Valley, flooded meadows hold impressive numbers of Lapwing, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon, which in turn attract birds of prey such as Peregrine and White-tailed Eagle. The White-fronted Geese that arrived in the late December influx may potentially linger into February, sometimes in the company of feral Canada Geese and Greylag Geese.

As the month draws on, the balance begins to shift and some species start preparing for departure. Some Brent Geese remain into March, but in favourable conditions they can begin moving in February or even earlier. Onshore southeasterly winds may bring the impressive sight of flocks hugging the Sussex coast as they head east up the Channel on the way to their Siberian breeding grounds, accompanied by other wildfowl and Red-throated Divers. Seawatching from Selsey Bill at this time can still produce lingering winter visitors, with Great Northern Diver, Red-breasted Merganser and Slavonian Grebe all likely.

February is also a good month to look for Hawfinch. Probably the best-known site in the county is West Dean Woods, especially from the Monkton Track (SU 836155), where there is also a good chance of a few Bramblings feeding in the maize fields alongside Chaffinches. As winter food supplies run down, other sites such as the yew forests at Kingley Vale (SU 820104) and Fairmile Bottom/Sherwood Rough (SU 992094) may increasingly attract Hawfinches from both Sussex and potentially further afield.

Resident birds

As February advances, the first clear signs of seasonal change begin to show. Lengthening days encourage resident birds such as Great Tit and Song Thrush to sing with increasing regularity, while woodland species including Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch grow more vocal as they establish and defend territories. Even on the coldest, frost-bound mornings, there is an unmistakable sense that the year is starting to turn.

February is an excellent month to visit Ashdown Forest and lowland heaths such as Ambersham and Iping Commons (SU 912914 & SU 852220), where one of the county’s most evocative birds comes to the fore. Woodlark is among our earliest nesters, and on calm, bright days its fluting song drifts across open heath and young forestry, creating one of February’s most atmospheric experiences. Adjacent conifer stands are well worth scanning for Crossbill, currently present in good numbers, while areas of birch scrub often support winter flocks of Redpoll and Siskin, some of which may remain to breed.

As noted in the January article, the early months of the year are the prime time to witness the spectacular ‘roller-coaster’ display flight of the Goshawk. Sunny, breezy days spent watching from viewpoints on Ashdown Forest (TQ 428313) or Woodbeding Common (SU 869260) offer an excellent chance of seeing this powerful bird of prey as it advertises its territory.

February is also a good month to search for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. This species has a reputation for being elusive and difficult to find, though the recent use of acoustic monitoring with passive recorders has produced exciting results, revealing Lesser Spots in Sussex woodlands where they had not been recorded for years. While success is never guaranteed, visits to areas of wet woodland, particularly in the north of the county, may be rewarded with bursts of drumming or even a brief glimpse of this scarce bird.

Summer visitors

Although never guaranteed, late February can sometimes produce the very first summer visitors, particularly if mild weather and a southerly airflow sets in. Sand Martin is often the earliest pioneer, but other species such as Swallow, Wheatear and even Garganey are all possible. Chiffchaffs may also appear towards the end of the month, sometimes breaking into song, although separating newly arrived birds from those that have overwintered is not always straightforward.

Tips for February Birding

• Check weather forecasts if planning to search for Goshawk, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Woodlark, all of which are more likely to be encountered in fine weather.
• Check local bird news services for recent bird sightings.

Surveyors needed urgently from 2026/2027

Update 23.01.2026. Surveyor found for Iping/Stedham but we still need a surveyor for Lynchmere and Stanley Commons. 

This long running survey monitors several breeding species with the emphasis on heathland specialists (Nightjar, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Tree Pipit and Stonechat) by the simple method of detecting males holding territory. The core 10 heaths have been surveyed for 27 years and we are now in need of a surveyor for the heaths of Lynchmere & Stanley Commons SU8631,as soon as possible and Stedham & Iping Commons SU852219 from 2027. There are five priority species. and other species can be noted.

The Survey starts in mid-February, (to find the Woodlarks taking up their territories) and carries on until late June. We try to cover the individual sites entirely on at least four occasions, including the one early year visit, and two visits (more if you have the inclination and the time) about two weeks apart during May when song activity is at its peak. There will be at least one evening visit in late May or preferably June to detect Nightjar.

The survey is not demanding and the continuous nature of it over more than 27 years has enabled us to providing excellent trends data and is important for the input we are able to give on management issues to the owners and managers of the sites.

If you are interested or would like any further information please contact Alan Perry on email aledgehill@outlook.com or tel. 07796 147234.

This year SOS is organising a county survey of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (LSW) and we are seeking volunteers to help. We will be using a novel approach, Passive Acoustic Monitoring which is something new and groundbreaking for SOS. As we all know LSW is now an elusive and challenging species but sound recording makes a county wide survey a realistic proposition for the first time for many decades.

Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) involves deploying small recorders at selected sites recording and storing bird sounds either continuously or to a pre-determined schedule. The resulting recorded files are then analysed to identify all the calls and songs of the species being monitored. Automatic systems (such as the BTO Acoustic Pipeline, Chirpity or BirdNet) are used to process all the sound files and find the records of the species of interest – in the case of LSW, calls and drums. For the Sussex survey we will be using a bespoke woodpecker module developed on the BTO Acoustic Pipeline to analyse all the recordings to locate any LSW calls or drums.

We first tested the method at known LSW sites in the New Forest in 2024 and it was amazingly successful. Taking this forward in 2025, with Mark Mallalieu, we deployed five recorders at possible LSW sites in Sussex. With these we covered 33 locations and LSWs were detected at 23 of them (70%) – an exciting result which has already changed our views of the status of the species in the county. These results and similar ones from Hampshire, Somerset and Kent were published in a paper in British Birds before Christmas (Smith et al. 2025). This is all very timely with PAM likely to form the basis of a national LSW survey being planned by NE/RSPB/BTO for 2027/28 and will also likely be used by the BTO for some of the more challenging species as part of the next national atlas.

The LSW results from Sussex in 2025 were remarkable but the locations were not selected randomly across the county so it is not possible to extrapolate numbers beyond the sites monitored. It is probable that Sussex will emerge as one of the remaining important counties nationally for LSWs. In 2026 SOS have purchased six recorders (Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Micros) and we are planning to run recorders at a random selection of around 100 1 km squares throughout the county. LSWs require wet woodland within a landscape with extensive broadleaved woodland cover. Bob Foreman at the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre has kindly provided woodland cover data for Sussex at the 1km square level together with measures of wet woodland. With these data we have come up with a list of over 500 1km squares in the county with potentially suitable LSW habitat. We focussed on the areas north of the Downs given the paucity of LSW records from both the Downs and the coastal plain over the last couple of decades. Our target is to deploy recorders in 100 of the selected 1km squares this year. See the map for the locations of the selected 1km squares.

Organising a survey like this is new to all of us. To avoid having to transport recorders around the county we have recruited some ‘regional coordinators’ who will hold recorders, memory cards etc that they can supply to local volunteers. We are looking for volunteers to agree to collect the equipment from their local coordinator, deploy it at the agreed site(s) for five days or so, collect it and return to the coordinator. We can’t guarantee that you will see or hear a LSW but we are sure the recorders will detect quite a few. Full instructions and protocols will be available and we are planning to start deploying the recorders in mid-February and continue until the end of April by which time the LSW drumming and calling season will be over for the year.

If you are interested in helping with this important survey, please contact us at ken.smith.lsw@gmail.com or 07815 456280 and indicate the sites you are able to help with. If you happen to have your own recorder, which many people now do, we will be very happy to provide some help and guidance so you can use it as part of this survey.

Ken & Linda Smith

Reference
Smith K, Smith L, Addleton N, Clements R, Fisk S, Gillings S, Mallalieu M, Mathieson H & Robin A. 2025. Bioacoustics as a tool for the detection and monitoring of a scarce woodland bird – the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. British Birds 118: 658-667.

This map shows the 100 1km squares selected to be surveyed using Song Meters in 2026.

Event details:

The event will feature a guided walk around the Courthill farm, Slindon – to explore its diverse habitats and observe local bird species. Attendees will enjoy refreshments and engage in discussions about the sightings. This is an excellent opportunity for farmers to enhance their bird identification skills with expert guidance from the Sussex Ornithological Society.

Every year, at the beginning of February, farmers around the country take part in the Big Farmland Bird Count, a country wide survey which gives a snapshot of farmland birds in a specific time frame. This event hopes to give farmers the confidence in their bird identification to take part in the national survey. Representatives from the NFU will also be present to contribute to the conversation and cover the event.

There is a renewed interest from farmers in this group and the event is attracting more and more people each year.

For more information please contact Adam Huttly Adam@red-inc.com – 07766 732511

See here for more info

Available here

By Paul James

The arrival of a new year brings a familiar sense of renewal for birders. January marks the chance to begin again with a fresh year list, noting every species seen or heard from January through to December. Whether recorded in a notebook, logged on an app or simply remembered, a year list gives structure to time spent outdoors, sharpening observation skills and encouraging regular visits to favourite places.

Year listing doesn’t have to involve chasing rare birds across the county or beyond. For many birders, a local or “patch” list is far more satisfying, rewarding repeated visits across the seasons and building a deeper understanding of how birds use a particular area. This approach often increases the likelihood of finding something unexpected.

The New Year also offers Sussex birders the chance to support conservation directly through the SOS New Year Bird Race. This friendly challenge combines a January day list with fundraising, helping to support vital conservation work across the county. With participation increasing each year, it provides a positive and purposeful start to the birding calendar. Further details can be found here.

For many, January birding starts close to home. Garden feeders often provide the first ticks of the year, with familiar species such as Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird and Dunnock quickly getting lists underway. Yet January consistently demonstrates just how productive winter birding in Sussex can be. During the 2025 New Year Bird Race, participants recorded an impressive 147 species, highlighting the richness of the month.

In broad terms, January targets mirror those discussed in the December article, but with the added potential for cold-weather movements. If conditions worsen on the continent, Sussex may receive influxes of species such as Lapwing, Golden Plover, Fieldfare and Redwing, although these events are now less frequent than in the past due to climate change. Wildfowl are also worth careful scrutiny. A significant influx of grey geese on Christmas Eve included White-fronted Geese at Amberley Wildbrooks, Combe Valley, Iford Brooks, Pett Level, Thorney Island and Weir Wood Reservoir, Tundra Bean Geese at Combe Valley and Pulborough Brooks and a single Pink-footed Goose at Northpoint Pit. With colder weather forecast over the Christmas period, there is a strong chance of further wildfowl arrivals, including Bewick’s Swans, particularly in the Arun Valley.

January is an especially good month for raptors, with Goshawk a key target. With an estimated county population of 65 or more pairs, mainly within the well-wooded interior of Sussex, January and February are prime months to witness display flights. Patient watching from viewpoints overlooking mature stands of fir and spruce on a clear winter’s day can be rewarded with spectacular encounters. Well-known locations such as the Honey-buzzard viewpoints on Ashdown Forest and at Woolbeding Common are among the best places to try. Heathland sites also offer interest at this time of year, with the possibility of early nesting activity from species such as Crossbill, Raven and Woodlark. Another raptor to look out for is Hen Harrier, with up to three birds roosting at WWT Arundel in recent days. These can often be seen from Scrape Hide in the late afternoon, sometimes alongside Marsh Harriers, which also roost there. Visitors should note that there is an admission charge for non-members and that the reserve closes at 16:30.

Additional interest may come from long-staying scarcities currently present in the county. The Black Guillemot at Sovereign Harbour, the Black-necked Grebe at Pagham Lagoon and the Greater Scaup at Scotney Pit have all been present for some time and are likely to remain into the New Year. As ever, keeping up to date with local bird news services is recommended, both to track these birds and to catch news of any new discoveries as birders head out in force at the start of the year.

January in Sussex is anything but quiet. With a blend of winter visitors, resident birds beginning to establish territories and the constant possibility of the unexpected, it provides an ideal platform for building a year list and a rewarding start to the birding year.

First of all, thank you to all those members who have responded so promptly to the email we sent out, and attempted to renew their subscriptions.

And we’re sorry that a technical hitch resulted in each person receiving multiple copies of the message.

Please note that we are aware of a new issue where members, when trying to reset their passwords, are encountering a “Critical Error”. We’re doing our best to fix that but in the meantime it’s best if you hold off for a while.

We’ll post another message here when the problem is resolved.

Sorry again for the inconvenience.

The Membership Team.

By Paul James

December may seem a quiet month for birding, but Sussex offers rich rewards for those willing to brave the winter chill and short daylight hours. A mix of habitats — including coastal estuaries, inland wetlands, downland, heathland and woodland — make it a haven for wintering species.

Coastal Hotspots
As winter progresses, Chichester Harbour, Pagham Harbour and Rye Harbour become magnets for thousands of overwintering waterbirds. Expect large flocks of Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Curlew, Knot, Dunlin and Redshank, with increasing numbers of Avocet – now a regular winter feature – in both Chichester and Pagham Harbours.

Keen-eyed birders might spot a wintering Greenshank, Spotted Redshank or Whimbrel. Fishbourne Creek in Chichester Harbour has been a consistent location for these in previous winters and is also a reliable for Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Kingfisher.

Purple Sandpipers winter regularly at a handful of sites in Sussex, of which Brighton Marina and Newhaven Harbour are the most reliable. The walk out to the end of the east arm at Brighton Marina is long and often cold, so a better option may be the east pier of Newhaven Harbour (accessed from Newhaven Tidemills), where the birds can be viewed at very close quarters on a rising tide. Other possibilities at these sites include Fulmar, Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag, Black Redstart and Rock Pipit.

Sea Watching
Along the Sussex coast, seawatching in winter can produce both Red-throated and Great Northern Divers, Red-breasted Merganser and Slavonian Grebe, with Selsey Bill a reliable site for all these species. Flocks of Common Scoter may gather in Rye Bay, sometimes accompanied by a few Velvet Scoter. The sea wall at Pett Level is an excellent — if sometimes rather exposed — place to scan for these.

Inland Wetlands
Inland wetlands such as Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve and Amberley Wildbrooks are superb for waterbirds and raptors in December. Numbers of Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal and Lapwing gather on floodwater, the latter sometimes accompanied by a handful of Ruff, while Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and occasionally a White-tailed Eagle patrol overhead. As dusk falls, there’s a good chance of seeing a hunting Barn Owl.

The real prize in the Arun Valley, however, is Bewick’s Swan, a species that has declined precipitously as a winter visitor in both Sussex and the UK. A handful still return each winter and may be encountered anywhere between Pulborough Brooks and Burpham — but be sure to make the most of them before they disappear from Sussex altogether.

Downland
Downland can seem almost birdless in winter, but a visit to The Burgh (north of Burpham) may be rewarded with sightings of Grey Partridge and Corn Bunting, both scarce birds in the county. The area is also excellent for raptors: sightings of Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Red Kite are guaranteed, while other possibilities include Sparrowhawk, Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle, Merlin and Peregrine.

Heathland
Heathland is another habitat that can seem devoid of birds in winter, but a visit to Old Lodge on Ashdown Forest or one of the West Sussex heaths such as Heyshott Common or Iping Common may, with patience, produce Siskin, Redpoll and even Crossbill, especially with the large numbers of the latter currently in the county.

Woodlands and Farmland
By December, Fieldfare and Redwing are busy feeding on hawthorn berries. Try West Dean Woods for both Brambling and the elusive Hawfinch — the latter often seen from the footpath to Monkton Farm in early afternoon as the birds come in to roost.

Tips for December Birding

• Arrive early – short daylight hours make mornings precious.
• Check both weather and tidal forecasts if planning to visit coastal hotspots. These sites are best on a rising tide as the birds are pushed towards you. Bring a telescope if you have one.
• Check local bird news services for recent bird sightings.

What’s the difference between a Turkmen carpet weaver and the editor of the Sussex Bird Report? The weaver deliberately introduces errors as perfection is for the Almighty, whereas the editor strives for perfection but never succeeds. That is one lesson I’ve learnt from five years editing the report. The imperfections are few though, I hope, compared with the mass of data in the report. The other lesson – a very reassuring one for the next editor – is that the report is a team effort by eleven people, all of who make major contributions. As a result the role of editor is nothing like as hard work as you might think.

Each team member has their own set of skills and the Society’s members also make a huge contribution through bird records and wonderful photos. So the editor only needs to have some complementary skills to manage the whole process, of which a reasonable knowledge of British birds, drafting ability and attention to detail are perhaps the most important. An example of this team work is that the well-received new format for the report introduced from the 2021 issue was partly my idea but all the design work was done by Chris Barfield who was then our typesetter and by Laurence Pitcher, photographic editor.

So it’s not nearly as time-consuming as you might think. I was doing very intensive fieldwork from February this year, first on Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and Hawfinches, then Honey-buzzards and now back to Hawfinches. I’m also acting Chair of the SOS Scientific Committee and a Trustee of the Sussex Wildlife Trust. I still had plenty of time for the report along with family commitments and other calls on my time.

Could you take this on even if you are working full time? Quite possibly. All of my graduate and postgraduate studies were done through the Open University when I was working full time, and the report work is a tiny fraction of that sort of commitment.

Do please get in touch even if you’d just like to know more about the role without making any kind of commitment: mallalieum@gmail.com. You will find it rewarding, a wonderful learning experience and an opportunity to get to know lots of new people. And your society needs you! Thank you.

Mark Mallalieu

Chyngton Brooks: Pat Wilder	Redshank: Alison Playle

The National Trust has made a planning application to the South Downs National Park Authority to restore 42 hectares of land to saltmarsh and mudflats. The article on the National Trust website explains the proposals in some detail and contains a link to the planning application SDNP/25/04080/FUL

In summary, the habitat created is predicted to be saltmarsh with some intertidal mud areas: the area won’t simply be ‘flooded’ as some have claimed. This will create valuable habitat for waders and wildfowl especially and most importantly will give them an extensive secure area where they will be free from disturbance by people and dogs.

Although the footpath round the western edges of the estuary would be inundated at times a re-routed, all weather, path slightly higher up the slope is proposed, which would give good views over the new saltmarsh habitat.

Less than 1% of saltmarsh in the UK is in Sussex and SOS is of the opinion that the proposals will have a positive effect on avian populations, and will be of particular benefit to wintering birds. You can comment on the proposals here

Pat Wilder