Pulborough Brooks 29 April 2023

A lovely Spring morning attracted no less than 28 members to the jewel of the Arun Valley. A scan from the visitor centre revealed some of the usual species but a Mistle Thrush was unexpected. Already one of the target birds was piping from the zigzag path and a rapid walk there gave a view of the first Nightingale of the day. In total nine were identified around the reserve but only one more was seen. By now warblers were in fine voice and both Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were readily spotted among incomplete foliage. Whitethroats too were singing their scratchy songs atop brambles. The scrape at West Mead increased the excitement. Initially just two Avocets, two Redshanks and a few Lapwings kept company with small numbers of waterfowl. Then panic even among the Shelducks and Canada Geese portended the arrival of a formidable predator. Quartering the pools was a White-tailed Eagle. After a careful survey of the buffet it pounced on its selected prey, probably a goose to judge from the struggle that ensued before it was dragged onto dry land and feasted upon. Wimpenny hide maintained the excellence of the walk. In a sunny corner two Adders, a male and a female, were sunning themselves. From the hide itself several waders were on view, a Greenshank, four Little Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin and delightfully three Wood Sandpipers. The walk towards the Little Hanger was again accompanied by song and among the tunes a Cetti’s Warbler and a Garden Warbler could be heard – a second of the latter was later seen at Jupps View. The Hanger added to the species count with Teal, a Wigeon and some Linnets. Sedge Warblers were also typically noisy while a circling Sparrowhawk was spotted. The final stop at Nettley’s hide produced new sightings of Stonechat and Reed Bunting plus a real cherry on the cake, a second view of the White-tailed Eagle circling high over the brooks, this time in the company of at least seven Buzzards that looked sparrow-sized in comparison. It was a truly memorable morning with a species list of 63. 

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