25/11/2017 RSPB Pulborough Brooks with the East Grinstead RSPB Group

Saturday 25/11 2017
RSPB Pulborough Brooks.

Another great turnout for our November visit to RSPB Pulborough Brooks.  On a crisp, cold, autumnal day, 17 members were rewarded with an interesting trip, with over 50 species seen.

The highlights are itemised below.

• 2 Peregrines were seen from the Winpenny hide.  It is not often we see 2 together.  What made it more unusual was that they were on the ground rather than perched on a tree or a post.

• Winter thrushes were very much in evidence as you would expect at this time of year.  We enjoyed splendid views of Redwing and Fieldfare throughout our visit.

• Waders were thin on the ground and we had to satisfy ourselves with a dozen or so Black-tailed Godwits, a few Snipe, a Redshank, a Dunlin and a single Ruff.

• Incredibly we saw 3 Swallows flying over the water on the brooks.  They should have long gone overseas.

• At least 4 Pintails  brought us great delight and complemented the Wigeon, Teal Mallard, and Shoveler.

• Pick of the passerines were Bullfinch, Siskin, Stonechat, Greenfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Redpoll.

• A couple of Buzzards and a Kestrel were seen but we were out of luck with Red Kite.

A very satisfying morning!

A planned trip to the Burgh in the afternoon had to be abandoned as there were no car parking spaces when we arrived.  Several groups were visiting the area today and most seemed to be following a plan similar to ours - the RSPB reserve in the morning and the Duke of Norfolk's Estate in the afternoon.