While doing a winter bird survey (a regular fixed route for the Sussex Ornithological Society) on 22 February this year, I recorded a decent range of species, although nothing remarkable until a group of five little egrets flew over me, heading west towards Plumpton Station. Odd ones are increasingly around and good numbers in wetland areas, especially on the coast, but a group of five inland is pretty unusual.
On the same day an osprey was reported near the airfield. i would happily accept the record from the reporter, who has plenty of experience of this species, but it would seem to be an exceptionally early record - indeed, as far as I can see, distinctly the earliest Sussex has had. And I did check one website that reports that at the time a Rutland Water tagged osprey was still loafing around Senegal.
TH
On the same day an osprey was reported near the airfield. i would happily accept the record from the reporter, who has plenty of experience of this species, but it would seem to be an exceptionally early record - indeed, as far as I can see, distinctly the earliest Sussex has had. And I did check one website that reports that at the time a Rutland Water tagged osprey was still loafing around Senegal.
TH