Minibus Trip to Pulborough Brooks RSPB (18 November 2023)
“Better than I’d expected given the weather” was how one participant summed it up! The glum faces when we met the minibus at Pulborough Tesco reflected their expectations. A quick stop at Rackham RSPB viewpoint for a look over Amberley Wildbrooks did nothing to change their minds. It was so windy and wet that bird watching was impossible. The flooded Wildbrooks resembled an inland sea and those who hadn’t visited before struggled to imagine what it might usually look like. Goldcrests heard and Wigeon glimpsed, we headed back to the main reserve all very wet, especially Jerry who waited until the wettest, most awkward, spot to put on his waterproof trousers.
The main reserve was another seascape because much of it is also a floodplain for the Arun River. Until lunchtime our best policy was to keep undercover although the rain did ease to a persistent mizzle. Despite the damp weather our species total was a respectable 64. Highlights were: flighty groups of Redwing and Fieldfare with the odd Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush, a juvenile Little Gull, a Lesser Redpoll, a male and a female Bullfinch, a Great White Egret, a perched Marsh Harrier and a flock of about 470 (counted by the wardens!) Black-tailed Godwits with 8 Dunlin hidden amongst them.
We started under the shelter on the terrace, but apart from Fieldfares in the top of an Oak tree the other birds were too hidden in the murk to see clearly. The various bird feeders were more productive, especially Fattengates where we topped up the bird seed on the logs. This attracted Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Nuthatches, a Greenfinch, Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and the Lesser Redpoll. In the surrounding bushes we saw Long-tailed Tits and a sharp eyed two saw a female Bullfinch. Nearby Goldcrest were heard and seen. Our next sheltered spot was West Mead hide where we had lunch. It may have been dry, but a chilly wind came in through the windows. This hide had our best views of the wildfowl especially Pintail, Teal, Wigeon and Mallard along with Lapwing, a small group of very cryptic Snipe and a Red Kite. A preening Marsh Harrier sitting on a fallen tree was an interesting sight especially when it ‘lightened its load’ before flying off! We congratulated ourselves on finding a couple of Black-tailed Godwits and a Dunlin before the whole 400+ flock flew in with a few more Dunlin amongst them! However, the best sighting here was a juvenile Little Gull, whipped along by the wind. Everyone had to budge up when the warden arrived with the Beginners’ Bird Watching group which was very cosy.
By now the rain had more or less stopped and on our walk to Winpenny Hide we added Stonechat, Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Rooks. From this hide Brenda spotted a large egret in the distance which promptly walked out of sight. A very pale Buzzard perched in the distance giving a good impression of an Osprey and we had more good views of ducks, especially Pintail. Moving on clockwise we came to Little Hanger Hide and added Tufted Ducks and Gadwall because the water depth here better suited their feeding requirements. Hangar View had good views over the rather deserted North Brooks but it was the closer dense scrub that was more interesting. We were enjoying nice views of Fieldfare, Redwing and Song Thrush when there was great excitement as a male Bullfinch was spotted. At this point many of the group headed back towards the café while others had a quick look out from Jupp’s view and were able to add Shoveler, Pochard and Moorhen to our list. Ray and Huw heard a Cetti’s Warbler from Nettley’s Hide. Refreshments were most welcome and those of us braving the outside terrace spotted the mystery egret again and confirmed it as a Great White. Those inside the café seemed very jolly; happy to be warm and dry at last or perhaps bonding in adversity after yet another wet walk!
Ailsa “Really enjoyed today even with the rain and wind!!! I love this place and look forward to visiting again! Weren’t we lucky seeing so many birds”.
by Rebecca Dunne
