This New Year join Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) and find out more about our feathered friends.

From early January until the beginning of June, learn more with the Trust’s ornithological expert, Mike Russell, on his 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.

Alternatively the Trust is running a short one-day Birdwatching for Beginners at Pagham Harbour near Chichester. This one-off Saturday course examines how do spot birds during winter and includes an outdoor session around the nature reserve identifying waders, ducks and geese.

The six month An Introduction to Birds and Birdwatching starts on
Tuesday 19 January.
Members/SWT volunteers £110/Concessions £75/
Non-members £125.

Birdwatching for Beginners is on Saturday 23 January Members/Concessions £23/Non-members £32.

For enrolment or further details please see our website www.sussexwt.org.uk/events/courses_diary/index.htm or ring Filma Dyer on 01273 497561 from Monday 4 January 2010.

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