17/04/2016 Pulborough Brooks in Sussex then Dungeness in Kent

Sunday 17 April 2016
Pulborough Brooks RSPB NR, West Sussex
East Grinstead RSPB Group

A cracking morning at Pulborough Brooks with a species count in excess of 60.  Weather conditions were ideal with sunshine and no wind. 14 of us made the trip and we were rewarded with some excellent birding.

• The star attraction was the american wigeon that has been around  for some time.  We met up with it at Hanger View where it showed really well, both in and out of the water. Everyone had time to pick out this rare bird.

• Bird of the morning, however, had to be the lesser whitethroat that we saw earlier, near the Winpenny Hide. Thanks to Elizabeth and Mark, who had seen the bird earlier, we targeted this area and, after some careful observation, Patrick called us back to the entrance to the hide where we enjoyed superb views.

•  Surprisingly, the nightingale took backstage with only fleeting views along "adder alley".

• A "kettle" of buzzards drew our attention. A peregrine, a kestrel and a sparrowhawk added to the interest. 

RSPB Dungeness NR 

After dropping Sue off at home and a brief interaction with the televised football I was off again down to Dungeness to look for the Tundra Bean Goose.  Sadly, I could not find it.  Nevertheless I compensated with some excellent birding moments:

• On the viewing ramp, I saw a couple of bearded tits including a stunning male, less than 10 metres from me.

• On the way to the viewing ramp, counterclockwise from the visitor's centre, I heard then saw a garden warbler in the scrub.

• On the return leg I saw a sedge warbler, my first of the year.

What a lovely day - birding with Sue and friends in the morning and a lovely evening at Dungeness -with virtually the whole reserve to myself!

Additions to BUBO 2016 UK Year List:
Lesser Whitethroat   (178)
Bearded Tit   (179)
Garden Warbler   (180)
Sedge Warbler   (181)