By Paul James
The arrival of a new year brings a familiar sense of renewal for birders. January marks the chance to begin again with a fresh year list, noting every species seen or heard from January through to December. Whether recorded in a notebook, logged on an app or simply remembered, a year list gives structure to time spent outdoors, sharpening observation skills and encouraging regular visits to favourite places.
Year listing doesn’t have to involve chasing rare birds across the county or beyond. For many birders, a local or “patch” list is far more satisfying, rewarding repeated visits across the seasons and building a deeper understanding of how birds use a particular area. This approach often increases the likelihood of finding something unexpected.
The New Year also offers Sussex birders the chance to support conservation directly through the SOS New Year Bird Race. This friendly challenge combines a January day list with fundraising, helping to support vital conservation work across the county. With participation increasing each year, it provides a positive and purposeful start to the birding calendar. Further details can be found here.
For many, January birding starts close to home. Garden feeders often provide the first ticks of the year, with familiar species such as Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird and Dunnock quickly getting lists underway. Yet January consistently demonstrates just how productive winter birding in Sussex can be. During the 2025 New Year Bird Race, participants recorded an impressive 147 species, highlighting the richness of the month.
In broad terms, January targets mirror those discussed in the December article, but with the added potential for cold-weather movements. If conditions worsen on the continent, Sussex may receive influxes of species such as Lapwing, Golden Plover, Fieldfare and Redwing, although these events are now less frequent than in the past due to climate change. Wildfowl are also worth careful scrutiny. A significant influx of grey geese on Christmas Eve included White-fronted Geese at Amberley Wildbrooks, Combe Valley, Iford Brooks, Pett Level, Thorney Island and Weir Wood Reservoir, Tundra Bean Geese at Combe Valley and Pulborough Brooks and a single Pink-footed Goose at Northpoint Pit. With colder weather forecast over the Christmas period, there is a strong chance of further wildfowl arrivals, including Bewick’s Swans, particularly in the Arun Valley.
January is an especially good month for raptors, with Goshawk a key target. With an estimated county population of 65 or more pairs, mainly within the well-wooded interior of Sussex, January and February are prime months to witness display flights. Patient watching from viewpoints overlooking mature stands of fir and spruce on a clear winter’s day can be rewarded with spectacular encounters. Well-known locations such as the Honey-buzzard viewpoints on Ashdown Forest and at Woolbeding Common are among the best places to try. Heathland sites also offer interest at this time of year, with the possibility of early nesting activity from species such as Crossbill, Raven and Woodlark. Another raptor to look out for is Hen Harrier, with up to three birds roosting at WWT Arundel in recent days. These can often be seen from Scrape Hide in the late afternoon, sometimes alongside Marsh Harriers, which also roost there. Visitors should note that there is an admission charge for non-members and that the reserve closes at 16:30.
Additional interest may come from long-staying scarcities currently present in the county. The Black Guillemot at Sovereign Harbour, the Black-necked Grebe at Pagham Lagoon and the Greater Scaup at Scotney Pit have all been present for some time and are likely to remain into the New Year. As ever, keeping up to date with local bird news services is recommended, both to track these birds and to catch news of any new discoveries as birders head out in force at the start of the year.
January in Sussex is anything but quiet. With a blend of winter visitors, resident birds beginning to establish territories and the constant possibility of the unexpected, it provides an ideal platform for building a year list and a rewarding start to the birding year.