@mayfieldbirder.bsky.social
Sussex based birder (often across Kent border), outings organiser, walk leader and species account writer for Sussex Ornithological Society.
One of the local Robin pair (they often use a Robin box on the barn) keeping an eye on my #BigGardenBirdwatch activities, they were reported in 83% of BGB in East Sussex in 2024 and in 98% of Sussex BTO GBW - long may they cheer our gardens.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 AM
One of the local Robin pair (they often use a Robin box on the barn) keeping an eye on my #BigGardenBirdwatch activities, they were reported in 83% of BGB in East Sussex in 2024 and in 98% of Sussex BTO GBW - long may they cheer our gardens.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
The small numbers that overwinter here may have come from elsewhere rather than abandoned the idea of a warmer winter location.
A brilliant recovery of a Dungeness ringed Blackcap. It was ringed as a young male on 20th September last year, it has been caught again at Jew's Gate, Gibraltar on the 19th January 2026. Travelling 1720km SSW during its autumn migration, to where it is now presumably wintering.
January 28, 2026 at 7:46 AM
The small numbers that overwinter here may have come from elsewhere rather than abandoned the idea of a warmer winter location.
An unexpected encounter in the hay store at the weekend. Not sure who was most surprised. Last year it had been a badger that often wandered in wondering about a snack.
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
January 27, 2026 at 7:35 AM
An unexpected encounter in the hay store at the weekend. Not sure who was most surprised. Last year it had been a badger that often wandered in wondering about a snack.
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
Dendrocopus major, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker, eying up the feeders during the #BigGardenBirdwatch. The 2024 Sussex Bird Report notes that it was reported in 63% of gardens in the BTO Garden Bird Watch that year.
#sussexbirding
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
#sussexbirding
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
January 27, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Dendrocopus major, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker, eying up the feeders during the #BigGardenBirdwatch. The 2024 Sussex Bird Report notes that it was reported in 63% of gardens in the BTO Garden Bird Watch that year.
#sussexbirding
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
#sussexbirding
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
Reposted
Another great round up of birding in Sussex.
Weekly Report, 19-25 January; www.sos.org.uk/recent-sight...
and Paul James; February targets - a worthy read.
www.sos.org.uk/archives/6742
Plenty of good birds out there if you get the chance.
📸Rock Pipit by Richard Allen
#UkBirds #birds #Sussex
Weekly Report, 19-25 January; www.sos.org.uk/recent-sight...
and Paul James; February targets - a worthy read.
www.sos.org.uk/archives/6742
Plenty of good birds out there if you get the chance.
📸Rock Pipit by Richard Allen
#UkBirds #birds #Sussex
January 26, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Another great round up of birding in Sussex.
Weekly Report, 19-25 January; www.sos.org.uk/recent-sight...
and Paul James; February targets - a worthy read.
www.sos.org.uk/archives/6742
Plenty of good birds out there if you get the chance.
📸Rock Pipit by Richard Allen
#UkBirds #birds #Sussex
Weekly Report, 19-25 January; www.sos.org.uk/recent-sight...
and Paul James; February targets - a worthy read.
www.sos.org.uk/archives/6742
Plenty of good birds out there if you get the chance.
📸Rock Pipit by Richard Allen
#UkBirds #birds #Sussex
For #MushroomMonday rows of brackets: Turkeytail Trametes versicolor (L) and Crimped Gill Plicatura crispa (R). One from our High Weald lane (L) and one (R) from #RSPBBroadwaterWarren a few miles east.
#fungi
#fungifriends
#fungi
#fungifriends
January 26, 2026 at 12:22 PM
For #MushroomMonday rows of brackets: Turkeytail Trametes versicolor (L) and Crimped Gill Plicatura crispa (R). One from our High Weald lane (L) and one (R) from #RSPBBroadwaterWarren a few miles east.
#fungi
#fungifriends
#fungi
#fungifriends
“Up tails all”. Kenneth Grahame was referring to ducks of course but this line from “All along the backwater” sprung to mind as I watched these two whilst doing my #BigGardenBirdwatch yesterday (other birds were available but 12 overflying Little Egret were too late).
@rspb.bsky.social
#ukbirding
@rspb.bsky.social
#ukbirding
January 26, 2026 at 7:38 AM
“Up tails all”. Kenneth Grahame was referring to ducks of course but this line from “All along the backwater” sprung to mind as I watched these two whilst doing my #BigGardenBirdwatch yesterday (other birds were available but 12 overflying Little Egret were too late).
@rspb.bsky.social
#ukbirding
@rspb.bsky.social
#ukbirding
Wouldn’t have been able to identify these shoots if @sussexwildlife.bsky.social hadn’t labelled at the #WoodsMillNR - Black Poplar, which Rackham says can ‘remind us of the splendour of the medieval countryside’.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Wouldn’t have been able to identify these shoots if @sussexwildlife.bsky.social hadn’t labelled at the #WoodsMillNR - Black Poplar, which Rackham says can ‘remind us of the splendour of the medieval countryside’.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
An @sussexornitholo.bsky.social event on the downs above Shoreham with a talk on changing farm practices, stewardship and sustainable farming initiatives, farm bird recoveries and a walk (with overflying Peregrine, Buzzard, Skylark and Finch flocks). Encouraging.
@btobirds.bsky.social
#ukbirding
@btobirds.bsky.social
#ukbirding
January 24, 2026 at 10:53 PM
An @sussexornitholo.bsky.social event on the downs above Shoreham with a talk on changing farm practices, stewardship and sustainable farming initiatives, farm bird recoveries and a walk (with overflying Peregrine, Buzzard, Skylark and Finch flocks). Encouraging.
@btobirds.bsky.social
#ukbirding
@btobirds.bsky.social
#ukbirding
Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) - a common bracket of Birch trees, here in the wet woodlands of #RSPBBroadwaterWarren. Also called Razorstrop Fungus because in former times - before electric shavers - its hard surface was used to sharpen cutthroat razors.
#FungiFriday
#fungi
#fungifriends
#FungiFriday
#fungi
#fungifriends
January 23, 2026 at 7:13 AM
Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) - a common bracket of Birch trees, here in the wet woodlands of #RSPBBroadwaterWarren. Also called Razorstrop Fungus because in former times - before electric shavers - its hard surface was used to sharpen cutthroat razors.
#FungiFriday
#fungi
#fungifriends
#FungiFriday
#fungi
#fungifriends
Devil’s matchsticks at #RSPBBroadwaterWarren or one of the Cladonia lichens if you prefer (I am going for C. floerkeana), certainly attractive and showy.
#lichen
#lichen
January 22, 2026 at 7:36 AM
Devil’s matchsticks at #RSPBBroadwaterWarren or one of the Cladonia lichens if you prefer (I am going for C. floerkeana), certainly attractive and showy.
#lichen
#lichen
I rescued a Queen Bombus terrestris from a water trough as I came up a field yesterday. Not sure there was much by way of a nectar supply anywhere close. I put it on a wall in the barn, it crawled around and had gone when I returned.
@bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
January 21, 2026 at 7:20 AM
I rescued a Queen Bombus terrestris from a water trough as I came up a field yesterday. Not sure there was much by way of a nectar supply anywhere close. I put it on a wall in the barn, it crawled around and had gone when I returned.
@bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
In our High Weald Ancient Wood a rosettes of Orchis mascula are beginning to appear as Early Purple Orchid prepares for Spring.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 7:40 AM
In our High Weald Ancient Wood a rosettes of Orchis mascula are beginning to appear as Early Purple Orchid prepares for Spring.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
For #MushroomMonday and a counter to Blue Monday here is another of the cluster of Fomitopsis pinicola (Red-belted Bracket) on a Scot’s Pine at #RSPBBroadwaterWarren
#fungi
#fungifriends
#fungi
#fungifriends
January 19, 2026 at 7:30 AM
For #MushroomMonday and a counter to Blue Monday here is another of the cluster of Fomitopsis pinicola (Red-belted Bracket) on a Scot’s Pine at #RSPBBroadwaterWarren
#fungi
#fungifriends
#fungi
#fungifriends
Aythya ferina, Common Pochard seen on the @sussexornitholo.bsky.social outing to #WestRiseMarshNNR on 17/1/26, not so common though and a Red-listed species of conservation concern - reported in 51 (of 1039) Sussex tetrads in 2024 (Sussex Bird Report).
January 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Aythya ferina, Common Pochard seen on the @sussexornitholo.bsky.social outing to #WestRiseMarshNNR on 17/1/26, not so common though and a Red-listed species of conservation concern - reported in 51 (of 1039) Sussex tetrads in 2024 (Sussex Bird Report).
14 on today’s @sussexornitholo.bsky.social outing to #WestRiseMarshLNR. My list 35 incl: Buzzard; Egret (Great + Little) Gadwall; Goose (Canada & Egyptian); Grebe (Little & GC); Grey Heron; Gull (BH; Common; GBB & Herring); Kestrel; Marsh Harrier; Pochard; Redwing; Shoveler; Snipe; Tufted. (+ a Fox)
January 17, 2026 at 8:08 PM
14 on today’s @sussexornitholo.bsky.social outing to #WestRiseMarshLNR. My list 35 incl: Buzzard; Egret (Great + Little) Gadwall; Goose (Canada & Egyptian); Grebe (Little & GC); Grey Heron; Gull (BH; Common; GBB & Herring); Kestrel; Marsh Harrier; Pochard; Redwing; Shoveler; Snipe; Tufted. (+ a Fox)
Reposted
Calling all photographers and artists. If you have any photos or artworks you'd like to submit for the 2025 Sussex Bird Report, please follow the three simple steps below. As always, many thanks! @sussexornitholo.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Calling all photographers and artists. If you have any photos or artworks you'd like to submit for the 2025 Sussex Bird Report, please follow the three simple steps below. As always, many thanks! @sussexornitholo.bsky.social
Reposted
The International Swan Census takes place this weekend, 17-18 January. If you record any Bewick's or Whooper Swans in BirdTrack, we would greatly appreciate if you could add details on the number of adults and juveniles, habitat and location pinpoint #ukbirding
Whooper Swans by Sarah Kelman / BTO
Whooper Swans by Sarah Kelman / BTO
January 16, 2026 at 11:02 AM
The International Swan Census takes place this weekend, 17-18 January. If you record any Bewick's or Whooper Swans in BirdTrack, we would greatly appreciate if you could add details on the number of adults and juveniles, habitat and location pinpoint #ukbirding
Whooper Swans by Sarah Kelman / BTO
Whooper Swans by Sarah Kelman / BTO
#RSPBBroadwaterWarren today, a feeling that Spring was in sight. A Woodlark sang for a while as I came onto Heathland, Robin singing everywhere. Others around: Blackbird; Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tit; Goldcrest; Great & Green WP; Pheasant; Woodpigeon; Wren.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 2:42 PM
#RSPBBroadwaterWarren today, a feeling that Spring was in sight. A Woodlark sang for a while as I came onto Heathland, Robin singing everywhere. Others around: Blackbird; Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tit; Goldcrest; Great & Green WP; Pheasant; Woodpigeon; Wren.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
Columbids nest early, though often many don’t seem to have a breeding season except ‘all year’. Found this on the edge of the drive here in East Sussex, perhaps January is the earliest I have found one (Woodpigeon are usually here).
@btobirds.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Columbids nest early, though often many don’t seem to have a breeding season except ‘all year’. Found this on the edge of the drive here in East Sussex, perhaps January is the earliest I have found one (Woodpigeon are usually here).
@btobirds.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social
Auricularia auricula-judae - Jelly Ear - for #FungiFriday. Usually reported on Elder (this one on a worryingly moribund Japanese Maple at the edge of the drive). One of the heterobasidiomycete (not often one gets to say that in a post!), wet weather can return to full glory.
#fungi
#fungifriends
#fungi
#fungifriends
January 16, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Auricularia auricula-judae - Jelly Ear - for #FungiFriday. Usually reported on Elder (this one on a worryingly moribund Japanese Maple at the edge of the drive). One of the heterobasidiomycete (not often one gets to say that in a post!), wet weather can return to full glory.
#fungi
#fungifriends
#fungi
#fungifriends
“Unobtrusive, quiet, and retiring, without being shy, humble and homely in its deportment and habits, sober and unpretending in its dress, while still neat and graceful, the Dunnock exhibits which many of a higher grade might imitate…” British Birds, Rev FO Morris 1895.
#ukbirding
#ukbirding
January 15, 2026 at 10:55 AM
“Unobtrusive, quiet, and retiring, without being shy, humble and homely in its deportment and habits, sober and unpretending in its dress, while still neat and graceful, the Dunnock exhibits which many of a higher grade might imitate…” British Birds, Rev FO Morris 1895.
#ukbirding
#ukbirding
January 15, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Completed my penultimate, E Sussex High Weald, BTO Winter Bird Survey. Plenty of the usual (Blue, Great & Marsh Tit); Corvids incl pair of Raven calling & flying together; Nuthatch; Song Thrush; Treecreeper. A singing Mistle Thrush; Moorhen; 3 Little Egret missed the survey.
@btobirds.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Completed my penultimate, E Sussex High Weald, BTO Winter Bird Survey. Plenty of the usual (Blue, Great & Marsh Tit); Corvids incl pair of Raven calling & flying together; Nuthatch; Song Thrush; Treecreeper. A singing Mistle Thrush; Moorhen; 3 Little Egret missed the survey.
@btobirds.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
Bewick’s Swans on #WallandMarsh 10/1/26, named for the author/engraver of “A History of British Birds” (1797). The scientific name Cygnus columbianus apparently because they were reported and described at the River Columbia (USA) by the Lewis & Clarke exploratory team.
@rspb.bsky.social
#ukbirding
@rspb.bsky.social
#ukbirding
January 14, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Bewick’s Swans on #WallandMarsh 10/1/26, named for the author/engraver of “A History of British Birds” (1797). The scientific name Cygnus columbianus apparently because they were reported and described at the River Columbia (USA) by the Lewis & Clarke exploratory team.
@rspb.bsky.social
#ukbirding
@rspb.bsky.social
#ukbirding