An Unexpected Encounter at Ifield Mill Pond

There’s something magical about being outdoors as the day winds down—the golden light, the hush settling over the landscape, and the anticipation of what might appear next. On the evening of March 18th, 2025, I had one such moment at Ifield Mill Pond.

Just as the sun was beginning to slip below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the water, a sharp squawk pierced the calm. At first, I assumed it was one of the regular residents—perhaps a gull or a crow—but when I looked up, I was caught off guard by a sudden flash of vibrant green cutting through the sky.

Ring-necked parakeets!

Definitely not the bird I was expecting. These exotic visitors are more commonly associated with urban parks and southern suburbs, not a quiet West Sussex nature spot like Ifield. Yet there they were—silhouetted against the fiery sky, their unmistakable shapes darting and calling as they passed overhead.

I was lucky enough to capture the moment with my camera. It was brief, unexpected, and utterly captivating—one of those reminders of how nature can still surprise you when you least expect it.

Have you seen ring-necked parakeets in your local area? I'd love to hear if others have spotted them around Ifield or nearby. Let me know in the comments!