Star birds in the woods

Late March is a great time for a Sussex Guided Bird Walk in the county's beautiful woodland. Simon and Alison joined me for a three-hour birding session near Crawley, with the green carpet of bluebells gearing up to burst into flower in a few weeks and newly-arrived Chiffchaffs singing all around, it was a splendid scene.

One of our first birds was a drumming Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and we found it again, or another bird, a few hundred metres away later in the morning. There is a short window of opportunity to look for these miniscule wet woodland inhabitants and we were very fortunate on this occasion.

This Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was drumming enthusiastically but took a little work to spot it in the canopy!

Just as we were crossing a woodland stream, a female Goshawk powered through the canopy and rose up into the blue sky, circling above our heads. A close encounter with this magnificent forest raptor is always a thrill!

Female Goshawk over the canopy

Simon and Alison also enjoyed their first ever views of Marsh Tit and Siskin, while other woodland goodies included Goldcrest, Nuthatch and a number of Treecreepers. A pair of Grey Wagtails were enjoyed the running water, and we heard the soft song of a Bullfinch and the further-carrying notes of a Mistle Thrush.