Our birding year got off to a great start over the first couple of days of January. On New Year's Day we had to wait a while before the white-tailed eagles put in an appearance, but we were kept entertained by marsh harriers and red kites in the meantime. Snipe continue to delight, showing well from West Mead hide.
If you're heading out onto the wooded heathland, keep a look out for roving mixed flocks and search through them for firecrest, goldcrest and treecreepers. The mature hollies and oaks beyond black pond have hosted a couple of firecrests.
There is noticeably more bird song on the brighter days - you can add mistle thrush onto the sightings board above! On 2 January a woodlark was singing on the heathland - the best place to listen from is from the tumuli - the site of a bronze age barrow with views south across to the Downs and west across the Arun Valley.
We're looking forward to sharing a wonderful wildlife-filled year with you!