Pulborough Brooks

This reserve is one of the longer drives to visit but always very worthwhile. 18 people made  the journey and we started off under a cloudless sky with superb views across the valley. Going downhill, Chiffchaff could be heard then seen, together with Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin and Blackbird. Assembling in the Fattengates Courtyard, we were hoping for Firecrest which we were assured had been seen easily earlier on in the week. Twenty minutes later, no sign, although Goldcrest were spotted high up in the branches. Moving on, a couple of the group found a Treecreeper, which eluded most as it had by then flown off! The group split up, with a few taking the ‘high road’ and the rest, the ‘low road’ to Jupp’s View and Netley Hide. Apart from great views of 100+ fallow deer, the ponds held only Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Lapwing, Pintail and Shoveler- not a wader in sight! The group reunited at Little Hanger Hide with those who’d taken the ‘high road’ saying they’d had amazing views of a Peregrine Falcon quite close up. A Nuthatch called and was photographed while we caught up with what had and hadn’t been seen.

During the gentle stroll back to the Visitor Centre, another Treecreeper was spotted after a fruitless visit to the Winpenny Hide and some managed to see a Mistlethrush in the field. Still no Firecrest on a return visit to the Courtyard, but good views of male and female Bullfinch on the path opposite. More fallow deer in the fields as we plodded uphill and most of the group then retired to the busy restaurant for lunch. A few of the ‘first sitting’ had a glimpse of a Marsh Tit on the feeders by the picnic benches, but the tail-enders had to make do with Blue and Great Tits, House Sparrows, Robins and a ‘blink-and-you-missed-it’ Nuthatch.

Having refuelled, some of the group set off on the Heathland Trail in search of the Crossbills that had been seen earlier on in the morning, but only managed to find Long Tailed Tits, Crows, a Dunnock and a Wren. Martin also had Siskin and heard a Redpoll. A chat with some locals revealed that the two dead trees about 40 metres apart which we had been observing, had been the haunt of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in February- their favourite drumming spot - but of course, no sign whilst we were there – typical!

Everyone agreed that it had been a most enjoyable day with 54 species seen and the weather extremely kind to us. The predicted afternoon rain only amounted to a few spots on the windscreen on the journey home. Thanks to Roy and Carole for leading the morning group and to Kevin for leading the afternoon group.

Click here for a map. (TQ059164)

Click here for information about Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve.

Click here for map of Reserve.

Click here for  list of birds seen