Pulborough Brooks RSPB and Amberley Wildbrooks

 A few hours at Pulborough Brooks produced a satisfying total of 66 species. Today's memorable moment was watching a flock of eight Woodlarks feeding on a muddy track in a field before a Sparrowhawk shot through and spooked them all, filling the sky with Woodlark alarm calls! Two Firecrests, 90 Black-tailed Godwits, two Ravens, 25 Fieldfares, 50 Lesser Redpolls and two Siskins were among the other highlights, along with a good number of ducks including dozens of Pintail. One male Green Woodpecker showed particularly well.

  

The day ended at Amberley Wildbrooks, where two adult Russian White-fronted Geese were with the masses of Greylag and Canada Geese from the Rackham Viewpoint and there was a similar assemblage of ducks on the flood. A Merlin landed in a tree, and two Red Kites and a Raven put in an appearance.

Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Phil and I logged 72 species on the reserve this morning, including a Crossbill, four Siskins, a Ruff, two Dunlin, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, two Green Sandpipers, six Snipe, 32 Black-tailed Godwits, two Redshanks, an Avocet, a Mandarin, a Tufted Duck, three Egyptian Geese, two Sand Martins, a House Martin, a Willow Warbler, six Treecreepers, five Bullfinches, four Nuthatches, a Mistle Thrush, three Stonechats, a Grey Wagtail, three Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk, four Buzzards, a Gadwall and nine Shovelers.

Pulborough Brooks RSPB

This afternoon I popped up to Pulborough, in the hope that some waders might have been dropped in by the drizzle. There was nothing particularly unusual on offer but the North Brooks held a good variety of birds and it was nice to properly catch up with Matt Phelps at the Hanger Viewpoint. As I completed the circuit, the drizzle gave way to a very still and peaceful early evening. Highlights included a juvenile Peregrine terrorising Black-headed Gulls, three Green Sandpipers, five Avocets, 80 Black-tailed Godwits (mostly in fine summer plumage), a family of Redshanks, a Wigeon, a Shoveler, a handful of Swallows and Sand Martins, a Stonechat, a Yellowhammer and four Bullfinches (including a juvenile).

 

Pulborough Brooks RSPB

A sultry summer's day. Phil and I met up at Pulborough Brooks, where we were greeted by two Woodlarks - one singing - over the field by the visitor centre. Most of the action was on the North Brooks from the Hanger Viewpoint, where we had two Green Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover, a female Mandarin with four juveniles, two Stonechats, three House Martins, three Redshanks, six Avocets, nine Lapwings, two Wigeon and three Egyptian Geese. Along the trails we encountered a handful of Nuthatches, Bullfinches and Treecreepers, and a Grey Wagtail flew over.

Woodlark

female Mandarin with two juveniles

Frensham Common, Pulborough Brooks and Goring Gap

A rare foray into Surrey and Frensham Common saw really quite special views of the Great Grey Shrike, showing well at close range for some time, and good looks at a Woodlark and three Dartford Warblers. A Water Rail and a couple of Little Grebes were heard, while a Pochard and three Great Crested Grebes were also among the birds at the Little Pond. Two Treecreepers, a Nuthatch, a singing Mistle Thrush, four Stonechats, a singing Reed Bunting, a couple of Siskins and, lordy, my first redpoll for months (heard flying over), were also noted.

Great Grey Shrike at Frensham Common

Woodlark at Frensham Common

Dartford Warbler at Frensham Common

By the time Pulborough Brooks was reached, the rain set in and it was quiet in general, though the floods were still quite full of wildfowl, including Pintail. What was probably my first migrant Chiffchaff of the year was singing, as was a Bullfinch, a Treecreeper and a cluster of 35 Redwings. A Little Egret, a male Kestrel, two Reed Buntings and two Stonechats were also logged.

A very quick stop at Goring Gap on the way back home delivered four Mediterranean Gulls, five Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 132 Common Gulls, c30 Dunlin and 11 Grey Plovers.

Pulborough Brooks RSPB

A couple of hours with Andrew at Pulborough Brooks this morning was thwarted somewhat by the extent of the recent flooding. The whole site is basically a massive lake and the complete opposite to the parched state it was in earlier this year - it seems like it has to be one extreme or the other! A Harris's Hawk was the least expected sighting, a couple of Egyptian Geese and a few Shelducks were alongside a typical assortment of winter wildfowl, including Pintail. Passerines included a singing Mistle Thrush, a Siskin, a Fieldfare, two Stonechats, a Treecreeper, a couple of Nuthatches and small numbers of Redwings and Bullfinches.

Dell Quay, Pulborough Brooks RSPB, Coldwaltham, Rewell Wood and Amberley Wildbrooks

Having been knocked out of action for some time by a nasty chest infection, I was delighted to get back in the field today. The intention was to ease back into birding but it ended up being a full day out! First up was Dell Quay, where I spent an hour scanning the waders and wildfowl. Most importantly, the Long-tailed Duck was still present, diving frequently to the south, near three Red-breasted Mergansers. 300 or so Dark-bellied Brent Geese were present, along with good numbers of Teal and Wigeon. Waders included singles of Spotted Redshank and Bar-tailed Godwit, as well as numbers of Grey Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher and Lapwing. A Kingfisher was hunting from moored boats and a Peregrine flew over.

Long-tailed Duck at Dell Quay

I met up with Phil Wallace at Pulborough Brooks mid-morning but this turned out to be an unwise choice of location as the floods were shrouded in heavy fog. We did hear a Golden Plover fly over, though, and the calls of Snipe and Wigeon were evocative in the mist. A Mistle Thrush, Fieldfares, Redwings, four Bullfinches and a Treecreeper were noted along the trail. Throughout our visit a noisy Raven was touring the site.

Coldwaltham sewage works was visited fleetingly in the hope of some Chiffchaff action, though just three were seen and all were collybita. A Grey Wagtail broke into song, a handful of Fieldfares and Redwings were seen, plus a Bullfinch.

Sherwood Rough mid-afternoon produced at least three distant Hawfinches, plus a Yellowhammer, a Marsh Tit and three redpolls.

As the light faded, we managed to squeeze in a visit to Amberley Wildbrooks, looking from the Rackham Viewpoint. Through the mist we caught sight of a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, three Buzzards and a Kestrel while hordes of Wigeon and Teal called.

Goring Gap and Pulborough Brooks RSPB

I didn't end up staying long at Goring Gap first thing, but noted three Yellow Wagtails, two Ringed Plovers, four Sanderlings, a Common Gull, a Skylark and eight each of Gannet, Little Egret and Oystercatcher.

Having only had a fleeting look at the Red-necked Phalarope at Pulborough Brooks RSPB in the spring, news of a juvenile on the North Brooks had me heading over to the reserve. It was of course distant, but this smart bird could be enjoyed for much longer than the last one, as it span crazily on the nearer pool. A juvenile Little Ringed Plover, two Black-tailed Godwits, two Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, two Dunlin, 15 Lapwings and three Snipe shared the pools. A Marsh Harrier quartered and singles of Whinchat and Wheatear added to the scene. Over 200 House Martins streamed through in the time I was there, with the odd Sand Martin and Swallow thrown in. A flock of 10 Pintail was an unexpected sight and Teal numbered 160, though a Mandarin and two Shoveler were just about the only other ducks. A Grey Wagtail flew over and other birds noted included two Nuthatches, two Treecreepers, a Goldcrest, two Green Woodpeckers and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

juvenile Red-necked Phalarope at Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Pintail flock at Pulborough Brooks RSPB

West Worthing, Highdown, Goring Gap, Ferring Rife and Pulborough Brooks RSPB

First thing, a Tree Pipit flew over at home in West Worthing.

Phil was staying nearby this weekend so I teamed up with him for a morning of Worthing area birding. We started at Highdown, encountering a male Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat, three Tree Pipits, three Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, a Willow Warbler, 12 Whitethroats, eight Blackcaps, 14 Swallows, two Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Green Woodpecker, a Skylark, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, a House Martin and a Song Thrush.

Spotted Flycatcher at Highdown

Goring Gap produced two Yellow Wagtails, 46 Swallows, five Sandwich Terns, a Chiffchaff, a Sparrowhawk, six Little Egrets, six Oystercatchers, 12 Ringed Plovers and four Turnstones.

We only had time to walk a very short distance along one side of Ferring Rife, but we did hear a Firecrest. Three Swallows, a Little Egret and a Blackcap were also noted in our short visit.

Ingrid and I popped in to the shop at Pulborough Brooks RSPB in the afternoon, where we saw a Hobby, a Sparrowhawk and a Swallow fly over. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard.

Steep Down and Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Today just felt like birding at its best. I was semi-reluctant to spend the little time I had this morning at Steep Down but I drove home so glad that I did. My main target was the Quail, remarkably still on territory, and I did eventually succeed in hearing one short burst of song from the bird. Among the grounded migrants were singles of Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Lesser Whitethroat, plus five Whinchats, three Wheatears and four Willow Warblers, while flyover action involved 20 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, a juvenile Marsh Harrier and, least expected, a Snipe. I couldn't resist constantly re-setting my scope on a nearby pylon to admire a pair of Peregrines taking an easy start to their day, preening and surveying their territory before eventually taking off. Two Sparrowhawks buzzed a flock of some 400 Linnets, while other farmland birds included two Grey Partridges and 13 Corn Buntings. I also noted two Ravens, a Reed Bunting, two Swifts, 11 Swallows, a Kestrel, five Buzzards, two Skylarks, two Meadow Pipits, a Grey Heron, two Green Woodpeckers, eight Whitethroats, three Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff.

Peregrines at Steep Down

juvenile Marsh Harrier over Steep Down

Corn Bunting at Steep Down

Sparrowhawk at Steep Down

Spotted Flycatcher at Steep Down

Wheatear at Steep Down

Wheatear at Steep Down

Whinchat at Steep Down

After sorting some stuff out at home, I headed out again, this time joined by Ingrid, to Pulborough Brooks RSPB. Once we had spent a while peering into the ponds at newts, we set out and bumped into Chris and Juliet. While we were chatting, I clocked a Honey-buzzard circling overhead! It was in view for several minutes as it gained height alongside a Buzzard - I think the first time I've seen these species directly side-by-side - before it was lost to view. Result! Just before we left Chris and Juliet, they noticed two Spotted Flycatchers in a nearby hedgerow. When we finally made it to the North Brooks, we found three Green Sandpipers, 37 Lapwings, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a few Shoveler and Teal but little else. A Stonechat, two Treecreepers, two Green Woodpeckers, a Bullfinch, two Nuthatches and three Buzzards were among the other birds we logged.

Honey-buzzard over Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Honey-buzzard (left) with Buzzard over Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Honey-buzzard (right) over Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Spotted Flycatcher at Pulborough Brooks RSPB (these have always been into the light for me this autumn so far! [i.e. today and yesterday])

Pulborough Brooks RSPB and Pett Level

I spent the morning with Phil at Pulborough Brooks, were we whiled away a happy couple of hours grilling the North Brooks. The long-staying Wood Sandpiper was on view there along with eight Green Sandpipers, a Ringed Plover, three Little Ringed Plovers, 22 Lapwings, a Mandarin, a Little Egret, three Grey Herons, 13 Teal, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, three Kestrels, a Buzzard, 11 Swallows, two Sand Martins, two House Martins, a Reed Bunting, 96 Greylag Geese, two Gadwall and two Shovelers. After seeing two Ravens flew over the reserve, I was blown away by the sight of a flock of 15 following in their path, though uttering just one soft 'cronk' as they went. Three migrant Willow Warblers were along the trail, including one in song, as were small numbers of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. One spot we passed had three Bullfinches feeding on the ground, and we had a further four of these elsewhere, along with three each of Treecreeper, Whitethroat, Nuthatch and Whitethroat, plus a juvenile Stonechat, three Green Woodpeckers, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Linnets, a Goldcrest, two Skylarks and two Coal Tits.

Wood Sandpiper at Pulborough Brooks RSPB

After a couple of errands at lunchtime, Ingrid and I treated ourselves to a drive over to Pett Level. The light was not in our favour and it a bit breezy but we picked out the drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK soon enough - a lifer for Ingrid - in the left-hand corner of the eastern pool amid a mix of Pochard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Ducks and Teal. 40 Sand Martins hawked over the pools, where a Little Egret was resting, and two Sandwich Terns flew along the sea wall.

drake Ferruginous Duck at Pett Level

Adur Estuary and Pulborough Brooks RSPB

In the drizzle early this morning, just before high tide, I had another quick look at the Adur from the toll bridge. A group of five Common Sandpipers were feeding on the bank, along with two adult Dunlin. An Oystercatcher flew over and 17 adult Mute Swans completed the scene. A Sand Martin flew over, while a Swallow hawked low over the adjacent airfield. (Calling in again briefly in the evening, Common Sandpipers increased to seven, and six Little Egrets were fishing.)

Common Sandpipers on the Adur Estuary

It was meant to be the annual butterfly walk back at my old patch in Surrey but this was clearly not going ahead, given the constant rain, so I made for Pulborough Brooks in the hope that the rain may have deposited from new waders. Some 13 Green Sandpipers shared the North Brooks with a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, three Black-tailed Godwits, two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers and 26 Lapwings. Skimming the water's surface were 30 or so hirundines, mainly Sand Martins, but with a few House Martins and one or two Swallows mixed in. Ducks included four Gadwall, 18 Teal, two Mandarins and 11 Shovelers. Two Stonechats stationed themselves on tall vegetation further back and seven Pied Wagtails flicked around the edges.

The conditions were far from ideal for looking for small birds but I spent a few minutes watching a lovely family of Bullfinches, both parents and three juveniles. Other passerines included a Willow Warbler, three of both Whitethroat and Blackcap, two Goldcrests, five Chiffchaffs and singles of Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Coal Tit. From their posts, a Buzzard and a Kestrel watched over the meadows. Two Green Woodpeckers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker announced themselves noisily.

Goring Gap, Pulborough Brooks RSPB, Warnham LNR and Ifield Mill Pond

Goring Gap first thing produced another juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, this one flying east offshore. Gannets increased, with 51 past during my hour's vigil, along with seven Mediterranean Gulls and 30 Sandwich Terns (including several juveniles following their parents).

adult and juvenile Sandwich Terns at Goring Gap

The rest of the day was just brilliant, spent in the company of my oldest birding friend Phil. We spent seven hours at Pulborough Brooks, notching up 63 species. We enjoyed a couple of incredibly exciting encounters in the first half-hour, with a recently fledged juvenile Cuckoo being fed by its Dunnock parents being followed by an adult male Peregrine tucking in to a juvenile Green Woodpecker it had just caught (we later saw the rest of the family in the same tree!). I was really hoping for waders, and was pleased enough with four Green Sandpipers, 60 Black-tailed Godwits, six Avocets, four Little Ringed Plovers, two Dunlin and 21 Lapwings. Four adult Mediterranean Gulls sailed silently overhead and a family party of Egyptian Geese on the North Brooks included five young. A Mandarin, 11 Sand Martins and 12 Teal were also at the North Brooks and further raptors included a Red Kite, four Buzzards and two Kestrels. A Lesser Whitethroat sang by the Hanger Viewpoint and other birds included a Grey Wagtail, seven Pied Wagtails, four Reed Buntings, six Swallows and a handful of Treecreepers and Nuthatches.

juvenile Cuckoo with Dunnock 'foster parent' at Pulborough Brooks RSPB

juvenile Cuckoo at Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Black-tailed Godwits at Pulborough Brooks RSPB

adult male Peregrine with juvenile Green Woodpecker at Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Warnham LNR was visited on a whim in the mid-afternoon. Here we enjoyed a male Kingfisher, eight Common Terns (including two juveniles, though one seemed stuck outside the raft), a Little Grebe, two Great Crested Grebes, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Mandarin, two Treecreepers, a House Martin and a Reed Warbler.

male Kingfisher at Warnham LNR

Mandarin at Warnham LNR

On a further whim we stopped briefly at Ifield Mill Pond, where the best on offer included three Great Crested Grebes (a pair and a full-grown juvenile), a Grey Wagtail, four House Martins and a Nuthatch.

Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Unfortunate timing of various commitments meant I could only get to Pulborough at last knockings this evening, seeing the Red-necked Phalarope by the skin of my teeth as it drifted out of the corner for less than a minute, as darkness descended. Two Avocets and eight Egyptian Geese (including six young) were also out on the North Brooks.

Pulborough Brooks RSPB

A late morning flying visit to Pulborough Brooks RSPB led to success in connecting with the two Black-winged Stilts from the Hanger Viewpoint, along with a Pink-footed Goose. While racing to and fro the car I heard singles of Treecreeper, Bullfinch and Lesser Whitethroat. Then it was off to Bristol to pick up a Pink Toilet (and sink)...!

Black-winged Stilts

Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Another, though very rushed, look for the White-rumped Sandpiper inevitably ended in failure, though a Firecrest was a nice surprise and a male Bullfinch showed nicely near a subsinging flock of 20 Linnets.

Pulborough Brooks RSPB

I was planning on staying in and getting things done today but of course news came through from Pulborough that the White-rumped Sandpiper was still there. I went over for it but the bird was stupidly distant and showing no signs of wanting to move around or feed so after a couple of hours I cut my losses. A Marsh Harrier quartering the brooks was the best bird and a Reed Bunting was heard near the visitor centre.

Canons Farm, Banstead Woods and Pulborough Brooks RSPB

This morning I led the CFBWBG's Winter Tour. We started at the Canons Farm where highlights included Barn Owl, a few Fieldfares and Redwings, Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and five fly-over Mallards. Spending a fair bit of time in Banstead Woods, we enjoyed prolonged views of a flock of seven Siskins gleaning from tree trunks, while a Mallard was on Piddly Pond and a nice set of woodland birds included Treecreeper in song, Mistle Thrush and Bullfinch, plus 30 more Redwings and a fly-over Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Siskins in Banstead Woods

On the way home I stopped at Pulborough Brooks RSPB in the hope of seeing the White-rumped Sandpiper found by Matt earlier in the day but it was a dip in miserable weather - with a Dunlin being the closest we got and the best entertainment being the numbers of Pintail and Wigeon present. Good to see Louis F-H in the hide though.

Goring and Pulborough Brooks RSPB

Nothing was moving on the sea this morning but 13 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Great Crested Grebe were noted. 10 Mediterranean Gulls were in the roost field, along with 295 Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plovers, five Grey Plovers, eight Turnstones and 27 Sanderlings at high tide. The lone male Stonechat was still in the northwest corner of the Gap, along with a female Blackcap. Five Skylarks were in the fields, a Kestrel hunted and a Grey Wagtail flew over.

I felt adventurous in the afternoon so ventured to Pulborough Brooks RSPB for a short while, managing distant views of the wintering Temminck's Stint, along with an Avocet, 10 Ruff, eight Dunlin, perhaps 400 Black-tailed Godwits and hordes of Pintail, Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler of note. I also logged a Water Rail, a Yellowhammer and a redpoll.

Canons & Pulborough

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male can be heard drumming)

Phil asked me yesterday if I fancied a casual trip to Pulborough and I said yes, provided the patch could be given at least a brief check. The highlight was excellent views of the female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. It was calling and flying between Circle Field and Aberdour School, doing the 'butterfly' display at one point. The male was drumming very close by but I couldn't get a view of it. Three Mallards also flew over.

Peregrine

There wasn't anything special at Pulborough but I really enjoyed just taking in the atmosphere of the gatherings of wildfowl on the floods. A female Peregrine perched in a nearby tree provided the highlight of the outing and the best views I've ever had of one of these birds.

Peregrine

Yesterday's Golden Plover in moving image