This site was produced by: LOCAL AUTHORITY PUBLISHING
Publishers for local authorities throughout Great Britain. View more Official Guides at www.officialguides.co.uk

One and a half miles south of Henfield lies Woods Mill, a water mill dating back to the early 18th century, which worked until 1927, and has been the home of the Sussex Wildlife Trust since 1966. Finding an established home has enabled the Trust to develop into an organisation that now owns or manages 31 nature reserves across the county, and has a professional staff of nearly 40, plus hundreds of active and dedicated volunteers. Woods Mill is the administrative heart of the Trust, but is also the main point for its educational programme. The 28 acre nature reserve is an ideal classroom, especially for the younger age ranges, and schools from all over Sussex and beyond enjoy exciting and informative days throughout the year. Each season has its specialities. During April and early May, the wood is a carpet of bluebells, while a visit during these months provides you with an excellent chance of hearing the wonderful song of the nightingale. Throughout the summer brightly coloured butterflies and dragonflies patrol their hard won territories, and over half of the dragonfly species that breed in the UK have been recorded on the reserve. Autumn brings colour and food in the form of berries and seeds that help feed the migrant birds before they return to Africa. The Nature Reserve is open all year everyday except Christmas week. The office is open Monday - Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Contact: 01273 492630. Website: www.sussexwt.org.uk)

Henfield Birdwatch
Henfield Birdwatch was set up in 1999 to monitor the population of the birds of the parish and to involve as many people in the community as possible. Over 100 people took part in the first survey, contributing over 37,000 records making it the largest community wildlife survey in the UK and from which the Henfield Birdwatch 2000 report was published. The second survey in 2004 involved nearly 150 villagers who produced over 40,000 records and was published as Henfield Birdwatch 2005. In 2009 work will be under way again for the 2010 book.
Contact: Mike Russell: 01273 497560. Email: mikerussell@sussexwt.org.uk