A GROUP of 21 members began this winter’s series of bird-watching field meetings at the recently up-dated RSPB Visitor Centre at Sidlesham on the edge of Pagham Harbour.

Continuous sunshine made for ideal conditions to identify the birds feeding or resting while the tide was still low.

Twenty species of geese, duck and waders were seen. Of note was a single velvet scoter – an unusual visitor.

The event was one of the many field meetings organised by HNHS to raise awareness and appreciation of the natural world.

A total of 28 species of birds and wildfowl were identified by 19 members during a December morning walk, skirting Frensham Great Pond.

They included a charm of goldfinches, great crested grebe, grey heron, little egret, Pochard, tufted duck and a skein of Canada geese.

Reaching the frozen Outfall Pond, redwings flew overhead and there were tufted duck and a pair of mute swans.

High in an oak a tree creeper was clearly seen, as was a kingfisher which flew quickly over the pond and could still be seen in the scrub.

It was one of the field meetings the society organises throughout the year to raise awareness of the interesting wildlife in the vicinity of Haslemere.

•For more information visit www.haslemerenaturalhistory society.org.uk