With thanks to volunteer Graham for his sightings report and photos
The final Sunday of 2024 at Pulborough Brooks was dry and still, and it stayed misty all day. I got off to a good start with a view of a Stoat in the weather station enclosure near Upperton’s Pond.
Unfortunately, this individual did not appear to be in tip-top condition, with a couple of growths on its neck and shoulder, and what looks like a badly chewed ear. At Fattengates Courtyard various passerine birds took up perches in the surrounding trees, seemingly in anticipation of the scattering of seed.
The expectant crowd included a male Blackbird with a small patch of leucism.
Feeding time began when I put out some seed, and among the diners were some Dunnocks.
As I walked past Simm’s Pond I saw a Kestrel at the top of a tree near the turning to West Mead Hide. I did not get much further before it flew off in the direction of the Visitor Centre. When I joined a visitor by the gate there was no sign of the Kestrel, but I saw what looked like a Peregrine in one of the dead trees at the bottom of Upperton’s Field. A glance through my scope confirmed it was a juvenile Peregrine. Unfortunately, the distance and misty conditions prevented me from getting an acceptable photo. Once in West Mead Hide and having shown a few visitors the Peregrine in my scope through the glass window, I noticed that a White-tailed Eagle was in its favourite tall tree across the river. Several visitors enjoyed views of it before it flew away. At closer range, a good selection of duck species could be seen on the pool in front of the hide, including some Pintail.
Several Snipe were also on show.
West Mead soon became fully occupied, so I made way and moved on to Winpenny Hide. This was also full of visitors, so I continued on towards the North Brooks. After brief stops at Little Hanger Hide and Hanger View I continued on to Nettley’s Hide. A few Teal were in the channels close to the hide, including this male which was still showing some remnants of its eclipse plumage.
A good number of Black-tailed Godwits were present, and these occasionally put on an impressive aerial display.
Other waders present, though generally fairly distant, included at least seven Dunlin, a Golden Plover and two Ruff, one of which briefly came within photographic range.
A Kingfisher also turned up briefly. It perched for a while at some distance from the hide, enabling several visitors to enjoy scoped views of it, and also providing me with the opportunity to capture my final image of 2024 at Pulborough Brooks.
Best Wishes and a Happy New Year to All
Happy New Year.