This New Year join Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) and find out more about our feathered friends. From early January until the beginning of Summer, learn more with the Trust’s ornithological expert, Mike Russell, on the six month course - An Introduction to Birds and Birdwatching.

Aimed at beginners who are just embarking on their interest in birds, this introductory course is also suitable for those with some basic general knowledge.

The course is taught through a combination of indoor meetings on Tuesday evenings at Woods Mill near Henfield, partnered with outdoor field trips on Saturdays to some of the best bird sites in Sussex including Pulborough Brooks, Seven Sisters Country Park and Pagham Harbour.

‘The course extends over six months to cover different seasons,’ explains tutor Mike Russell, ‘We get the chance to see winter birds, spring migration and listen to and identify birdsong during the nesting season. The Saturday field trips also give us a chance to see a greater variety of birds across the wide range of habitats that Sussex has to offer.’

Planned field trips include a visit to Shoreham Estuary to see redshanks or little egrets, the Loder Valley Reserve to spot kingfishers and heathland to see nightjars and woodcocks.

Topics covered in the evening sessions include identification techniques, migration, birdsong and surveying and recording.

The course starts on Tuesday 15 January and runs until Tuesday 17 June
Members/SWT volunteers £110/concessions £75/non-members £130.

For enrolment or further details please ring Filma Dyer on 01273 497561.

-ends-