Page 8 - Out Birding August 2022

was notable for the lack of hirundine which were represented by just one Swallow. Thanks to Mike for organising and leading us and to the other members for their company and for making it a really enjoyable day.
Tony
Weaver Valley 01/05/2022
The day started with unpredictable looking weather, rain a distinct possibility, however it didn't happen and the weather slowly improved. Ten GBC folk gathered for today’s birding. We began along the Trent and Mersey Canal heading westwards, enjoying views of the bluebells as we walked, bird song was everywhere, with Chiffchaff and Blackcap heard and later seen. Coots with young along the canal kept us entertained for some time. We then passed through part of Longacre Wood, leaf cover was dense, making spotting not too easy, although we did see Jays high in the canopy .
We continued our walk to Dutton Locks where we had our lunch watching Great and Blue Tits using the next boxes provided. At the locks we also spotted Great Crested Grebe with a nest, Cormorant, Gadwall and Reed Bunting. During the day we also saw Reed and Sedge Warbler and heard a Cetti’s Warbler in reed beds , whilst in the open farmland Skylark and Wheatear were spotted. Forty species in all were counted, we ended with a nice close up view of a Buzzard sat on a nearby branch, plus some Grey Wagtails on the towpath towards the end of the walk.
My good partner had been baking some scones, so they were offered with jam and cream and a cup of tea in our garden. Thanks to Jan, Maureen, Lorna, Moira, Simon, Sue, Ros and Pat for coming along
Carl
Pulborough Brooks 7th & 11th/05/2022
My normal practice with this annual visit to Pulborough Brooks is primarily to try and see the Nightingales and has normally taken place on the last Saturday of April, or the first or second Saturday of May. This year I offered the visit on a Saturday (7th May) and on the following Wednesday (11th May), with members being allowed to choose one of the two days to join me for this event. There were 5 of us on the Saturday visit and 6 on the Wednesday visit. I intend to repeat this approach next year.
During visits we did not just look at birds but also flowers, mammals, bees, beetles and other insects and enjoyed good views over the brooks towards the South Downs.
On Saturday we saw 45 species of birds. Despite leaving careful instructions with all the birds on Saturday, some refused to appear again on Wednesday (probably because there was some rain on Wednesday), when we saw 35 species. The combined species list was 51. Despite seeing fewer species and poorer weather on Wednesday I enjoyed both events equally.
Highlights were:
Seeing a three week old rabbit
A Lapwing, who had chicks, dive bombing a pair of Avocet who were sitting on their own nest nearby.
Seeing and hearing Nightingales on both days.
On Saturday we did well with birds of prey: Buzzard, Hobby and Peregrine. A group
of three Buzzards were flying or sitting on fence posts close together. The memory of
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