RSPB Pulborough Brooks and The Burgh with the ABG

 

Sunday 9^th November 2025

RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Sussex,   09.30 to 13.30

The Burgh, Sussex, 14.45 to 16.45

Ashdown Bird Group

10 members present

Trip Report

You might think that, at this penultimate stage of our 2025 programme of outings, things would begin to wind down. Not so! Today delivered a double-header of nature and excitement. Our main event was a visit to the RSPB reserve at Pulborough Brooks, where we experienced a rich variety of birdlife. Then, as the afternoon light began to fade, we headed to the Burgh, near Arundel, looking for raptors.

 

 

RSPB Pulborough Brooks

Route Map

We gathered at the main car park before making our way to the viewing area beside the Visitor Centre.  A gentle descent down the Zig-zag path brought us to Fattengates Courtyard where we picked up the clockwise loop around the reserve.  Along the way, we paused at West Mead Hide, Winpenny Hide, Hanger View, and Jupp’s View.  With time slipping by and appetites growing, we dashed back to the Visitor Centre for a well-earned lunch.

Amazingly, 38 of the 60 bird species we recorded at the reserve today were spotted within the first 40 minutes - all from the viewing point adjacent to the Visitor Centre.  It was a remarkable start, with binoculars and telescopes working overtime.  However, conditions weren’t ideal for our photographers-and they captured their best shots later in the day from the hides.

• The rarest sighting was a pair of white-fronted geese, seen in the distance. Telescope views were essential to confirm the ID.  Unfortunately, they were out of range of our cameras.
• Other birds seen on the water included the “usual suspects” - Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, and Lapwing - along with a couple of particularly handsome Pintail.
• Red Kites were a constant presence, gliding effortlessly across the valley below at regular intervals and occasionally perched in a tree.

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

• To the left of the perched kite were these female Pheasants in a very unusual setting!

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Other raptors also made appearances, including Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard.
• This cracking Green Woodpecker was my particular early favourite.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

 

As we made our way down the hill towards Fattengates Court, a few more highlights emerged.

• In a distant, tall, bare tree, five Redwings, two Mistle Thrushes, and a Greenfinch were showing prominently, with two Song Thrushes nearby.  Patrick’s image of one of the Redwing is shown below.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

 

 

• At Fattengates itself, as expected, we encountered House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Stonechat, and Coal Tit.

House Sparrow – courtesy of Martin Jeffree

 

 

Coal Tit - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

 

 

As we wandered between the hides overlooking the brooks, we were treated to close-up views of many familiar birds previously glimpsed only from afar at the Visitor Centre.  Even more exciting were the new species we encountered for the first time, adding to the richness of the experience.

• The standout duck at West Mead Hide was undoubtedly the elegant Pintail, a real treat to observe at close range

.Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

 

• A particularly pale Buzzard sparked lively debate among the group—its unusual coloration made for an intriguing sighting.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

 

• The morning’s star was a striking Ruff, seen from Whinpenny Hide.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• At least 2 Snipe flew in as we watched from Winpenny Hide.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• A group of Black-tailed Godwits stole the show at Jupp’s View, their long bills and graceful movements a delight to watch.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• These Egyptian Geese also caught the eye.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• As we enjoyed lunch outside the café at the Visitor Centre, at least three Green Woodpeckers flew across the field in front of us, providing a fitting end to a rewarding morning.

 

 

A very satisfying visit with 60+ species on view.

 

 

Species List:  RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Name:	Count		Name:	Count
Blackbird	1		Marsh Harrier	32
Black-headed Gull	2		Meadow Pipit	33
Black-tailed Godwit	3		Mistle Thrush	34
Blue Tit	4		Moorhen	35
Buzzard	5		Mute Swan	36
Canada Goose	6		Nuthatch	37
Carrion Crow	7		Pheasant	38
Chaffinch	8		Pied Wagtail	39
Coal Tit	9		Pintail	40
Cormorant	10		Raven	41
Dunlin	11		Red Kite	42
Dunnock	12		Redwing	43
Egyptian Goose	13		Robin	44
Fieldfare	14		Rook	45
Goldcrest	15		Ruff	46
Great Spotted Woodpecker	16		Shelduck	47
Great Tit	17		Shoveler	48
Green Woodpecker	18		Siskin	49
Greenfinch	19		Skylark	50
Grey Heron	20		Snipe	51
Greylag Goose	21		Song Thrush	52
Herring Gull	22		Sparrowhawk	53
House Sparrow	23		Starling	54
Jackdaw	24		Stock Dove	55
Jay	25		Stonechat	56
Kestrel	26		Teal	57
Lapwing	27		White-fronted Goose	58
Linnet	28		Wigeon	59
Long-tailed Tit	29		Woodpigeon	60
Magpie	30		Wren	61
Mallard	31
Species count = 61

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

• Pick of the non-birding items was this lovely fungus-Fly Agaric

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

 

 

Courtesy of Ian Hodgson

 

The Burgh

 

Route

 

Pressed for time and now down to 7 members, we followed a linear route starting from the car park at The Triangle, passing Peppering High Barn and continuing along the upper path to The Burgh before turning back.

 

• Bird of the day was a beautiful ringtail Hen Harrier, spotted halfway up the upper path during our outward journey.  It was a fleeting encounter-after briefly appearing above the tall hedgerows lining the path, it dipped below the tree line and vanished from view.  Phil and I rushed to the nearest gap in the hedge, hoping for another glimpse, but it had already gone.  Sadly, there was no opportunity to capture a photo.

• A similar moment unfolded with the Grey Partridges on our return leg.  Martin, Jem, Ian and Phil first picked up their calls from the adjacent field, and moments later, a covey of around nine birds burst into flight, crossing the path in front of them before vanishing over the high hedge into the opposite field.

 

• In contrast, Red Kites were a constant presence throughout the walk.  A steady stream of them drifted across the sky, offering plenty of opportunities for observation.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

 

•  One particularly bold Kestrel came in close, giving us a great view—another highlight of the day.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

 

 

• Just after the start of the walk, John spotted a flock of 19 large birds landing in a distant field. After some debate-and thanks to an enlarged photograph from Phil-we concluded they were Cattle Egrets.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

 

 

The fleeting appearance of the ringtail Hen Harrier was a standout moment, while the surprise flurry of Grey Partridges added excitement to the return leg.

All in all, this was a short but memorable outing with some excellent sightings.

 

 

Species List - The Burgh
Name:	Count		Name:	Count
Black-headed Gull	1		Grey Partridge	10
Blackbird	2		Hen Harrier	11
Buzzard	3		House Sparrow	12
Canada Goose	4		Kestrel	13
Cattle Egret	5		Mute Swan	14
Collared Dove	6		Peregrine	15
Common Gull	7		Pied Wagtail	16
Dunnock	8		Red Kite	17
Goldfinch	9		Skylark	18
Species count = 18

 

Thermal Imaging Camera

Try and identify the 6 members caught on camera by Phil.

 

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

 

 

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

2025 species count = 197

197  Hen Harrier