With the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group at Pulborough Brooks

Sunday 24th April 2022

RSPB Pulborough Brooks

A fine, dry, chilly, day attracted our best support for some time with 16 members making the trip.  We were rewarded with some fine birding, with a large species count that included a good number of spring migrants.

• Top of the list were nightingales; with at least 5 singing males, including 2 at the start before we even left the car park.

courtesy of Nicholas Galley and Twitter

• There were 2 lesser whitethroats which we could hear very well but only about half of us got to see one as it flitted from one tree to the next.
• There were umteen chiffchaffs, blackcaps, willow warblers and common whitethroats around the site.

courtesy of Alison Playle

courtesy of Alison Playle

courtesy of Alison Playle

There were some interesting waders present too!

• There was a cracking green sandpiper showing well

courtesy of Alison Playle

• A greenshank is always an interesting bird to watch.

courtesy of Alison Playle

• We even managed to see 2 little ringed plovers.

The Egyptian geese deserve a mention, simply by virtue of their large number.  As well as a flock of 18 there were several family groups taking the total up towards the 50 mark, by far the most I have ever seen on one site.

In the afternoon we relocated to Waltham Brooks for another delightful session.

•  This was "greenfinch heaven".
• We also had excellent views of the sedge warbler, my first of 2022.

courtesy of Alison Playle

 A first class outing with good friends.  All in all we had at least 62 species so everyone went away happy!

Year total - 178