Final thoughts

As ever, this report highlights the great diversity of birdlife that can be recorded within the parish boundaries and is also testament to the enthusiasm of everyone watching, reporting and enjoying birdwatching here. It’s interesting now that people who live outside Henfield are coming to enjoy birding here. The ever-increasing number of eyes, binoculars, telescopes and cameras are adding new species to the parish list, and in 2021 these were Avocet and Turnstone. However, what is important is the involvement of local people reporting and monitoring our common birds on a regular basis as these are the keystone species that indicate the state of our environment. It is essential that we continue to do this, particularly in view of the impact that climate change may have on our birds. A big thanks go to all the area surveyors, the species monitors, to all those who report and submit records and to those who provide their photographs. 2023 will be a particularly busy year for us. The following year will be our 25 th anniversary and we are planning to produce the definitive book of the birds of Henfield, not an inconsiderable task! In the same year Henfield Parish Council are proposing a Year of Biodiversity, bringing opportunities for us to make even greater strides in promoting and conserving the birds of the parish. I look forward to us making a significant contribution to this year-long event. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed reading about our birds and will continue to support our efforts to help the wonderful wildlife that we live alongside.