Winter birds at Pulborough Brooks Reserve (RSPB)

Leaders: Doug Maughan and Paul Nevett (HNHS Members)

As we arrived at the centre for the 10 o’clock start the sky lightened to light grey, which made a change from the dark grey and rain we had for the previous week! The Song Thrush and Blue Tits announced that spring is on the way. The 20 members were split into two groups led by Paul and Doug, Paul Nevett’s group went clockwise round the site and Doug’s went anti-clockwise.

After all the rain over the past few weeks the water had to go somewhere; it seems it was the Arun valley! There were large numbers of ducks on the water (Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal and unusually large numbers of Pintail), but other waterfowl appeared mainly in the distance: a highlight was a small group of the White-fronted Geese that had recently arrived along the south of England. The telescopes came in handy also for spotting a Buzzard, Marsh Harrier (causing a commotion among the ducks) and Red Kite. Binoculars were better for the land-loving birds, and the sun came out for a moment to highlight the Treecreeper and Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the same tree. Total species for the day – 51 (no White-tailed Eagle this time!).

by Doug Maughan