Ashdown Bird Group visit to Pulborough Brooks and The Burgh

Sunday 5th December 2021

Ashdown Bird Group

Twelve of us turned up at RSPB Pulborough Brooks where we spent the morning, spotting over 50 species.  9 of us then relocated to the Burgh for the afternoon session where we pushed our list count past the 60 mark.  The weather was dry but overcast and quite windy.  

                                               RSPB Pulborough Brooks

The highlights from the Pulborough session are shown below:-

•  At least 14 drake Pintails were seen and the views from West Mead Hide were particularly impressive 

• A Peregrine Falcon drew our attention as it perched on top of a mound with its back to us.  Occasionally it took flight but soon returned to the same position.

• The waders included Wigeon, Teal, and Black-tailed Godwit 

A Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was seen on the reserve but alas not when we were looking.

The Burgh

Thankfully the wind had eased by the time we got to the Burgh.  The highlights were:-

• 14 Grey Partridges were seen in the field adjacent to the track we were on.

• There was lots of activity in the skies above with scores of Starlings on the move.  Common Gulls were lively too with 26 counted at one time.  At least 7 Red Kites were on show.  At least 3 Buzzards were seen.  

• There were lots of chaffinches moving along the hedgerows and among them was a single Brambling - my first of the year.

All pictures courtesy of Alison Playle.

A really good day out with my birding friends.