On Saturday, October 17th, 18 group members gathered at RSPB Pulborough Brooks to walk the wetland trail. It was a bright but distinctly chilly day, with a northerly breeze.
The exceptionally hot summer has resulted in the wetland areas being unusually dry for this time of year. Although this means that many waders have yet to return, it has the benefit that the summer’s wetland improvement work has been able to continue well into autumn, enhancing the habitat for breeding waders such as Lapwing and Redshank.
Our first spot from the newly improved viewing area next to the visitor centre was a pair of Stock Doves, an unusual sight at the reserve. Despite the lack of water, there were plenty of raptors and in various locations, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Red Kite and Marsh Harrier were seen. A Raven noisily joined other corvids. Some of the group were lucky to get a brief view through telescopes of a perched Peregrine but it quickly flew off.
The North Brooks have some water, and winter ducks are gradually returning. Mallard, Wigeon and Teal were the most numerous, but Gadwall and Pintail were also spotted, the latter still in eclipse. Waders are yet to return in large numbers, but two Black-tailed Godwits were very visible, and a Dunlin put in a brief appearance. Nine Lapwings were seen from our final stop, West Mead hide. Canada Geese were present in large numbers but a few Greylag and Egyptian geese were spotted amongst them. A few Grey Herons and two Mute Swans were also seen.
Stonechats posed on vegetation on either side at Redstart Corner but the Redwings that had been reported earlier in the day had flown on. A White-tailed Eagle that had been seen over Pulborough village also failed to put in an appearance on the reserve whilst we were there.
A total of 37 bird species were seen, but there were still plenty of dragonflies in evidence, probably Migrant Hawkers. Butterflies including Clouded Yellow, Speckled Wood and Small White, were still flying.
Whilst there is plenty of water in the South Brooks ditches, the lagoon directly in front of West Mead hide is not connected to the rest of the water system, and, being dependent on natural run-off, has yet to fill. When water levels have risen so that the newly created islands and muddy edges are visible, the habitat should promise much, and it will be time for a return visit.