Page 5 - Out Birding Summer 2024

next murmuration. Another highlight was a pair of Cetti's Warbler displaying well and singing heartily.
The group was divided over a wader identification, settling on Redshank over Ruff. On the river were a flock of Dunlin and a large colony of 50 Avocet out on the Thames estuary. A female Kestrel nearby displayed well, exciting the photographers among the group. Flooding of the footpath meant the full circular walk was not possible, so we returned to the visitor centre to warm up before venturing out again to the woodland walk. Further sightings included Marsh Harrier, Gadwall, Stonechat and Kingfisher at close quarters. In total 33 species seen on a most enjoyable and bracing walk. Jonathan Short
RSPB Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex 13/01/2024
When the north wind doth blow then......’. Well we didn’t get the snow but for we 13 birders it was a biting but blessedly gentle north wind that accompanied our half day trip to this landscape of pools, ditches woodland, heathland and meadows alongside the River Arun. As is common for this reserve at this time of year, the network of pools had turned into a vast vista of flooding but the 4 hides and 3 major viewpoints over- looking the brooks were above the flood line and open to visitors. The visitor centre was closed because of no water for the cafe or the toilets so this confirmed we would only do a half-day event.
Before starting our walk the car park was alive with tits and Robins and a Jay was spot- ted. The bird feeders in the meadow yielded Nuthatch, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker; and a Fieldfare. The zigzag walk down towards the Fattengate Courtyard gave us a terrific view of a perching Kestrel and then a few of the group were lucky enough to spot a Redpoll but those of us ahead were too busy chatting and were oblivious to the urgent summons from our more bird-focused friends. This group also spotted a Red Kite that the rest of us missed. A similar situation occurred when a Goldcrest was spotted. Magpies and Crows were rattling and cawing overhead and Woodpigeons were everywhere.
On the approach to the first hide we saw more Fieldfare, heard their chak-chak-chak call and their rather odd vertical flight out of a bush then swoop to another. In the first hide there was excitement that a very large raptor in a distant tree might be a White-tailed Eagle (now frequent visitors at Pulborough since their release on the Isle of Wight) but the consensus was probably Marsh Harrier because of the cream head patch and edge of wing. A pair of Snipe was close by on the edge of a little island and it was great to see them so clearly and to observe just how long the beak is compared to their body. It became apparent that the usual shallow water waders had been dis- persed by the flooding so our main focus was on the ducks and geese.
The Wigeon were numerous and in good voice with their whistling, and to everyones’ delight there were a number of handsome Pintail close enough to enjoy their elegant
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