RSPB Pulborough Brooks - 25th November 2023

My first visit to Pulborough Brooks and with a RSPB SE Herts Group coach trip. A beautiful reserve set in the South Downs on a sunny but very cold day. A warm welcome from the Warden and great views from above the visitor centre!

A fluffed up Robin was one of our first birds as we walked down through the mixed woodland.

We had good views of woodland birds including three Tit species, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and a few Goldcrests.

Fieldfare were added to the list and the raptor count included Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier and a flyover Sparrowhawk.

We spent some time looking over the Brooks which held huge numbers of Canada Geese, though we could not locate the three White Fronted Geese that had been reported. Waders included Common Snipe, Lapwing and around 500 Black-Tailed Godwits.

As to be expected there were good numbers of ducks including Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck and lots of Pintail. A couple of shots of a cracking male.

A walk along the many paths revealed Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Stonechats as well as a mixed flock of Jackdaws and Rooks on some grassland. This Rook found a welcome snack!

Our sixth raptor was for many of the group their first ever view of a White Tailed Eagle, also known as a flying barn door! One had been seen distantly by one of the groups but we were treated to great views as this one was mobbed by corvids including at least one Raven.

Re-introduced recently on The Isle of Wight they are doing well and spreading, with birds being seen most days at Pulborough. This bird is a youngster as it does not have the full white tail. To give an idea of scale, the wingspan is up to 2.4 metres.

An excellent, well organised trip and after a well earned coffee, a chance to catch the last of the light over the reserve.