Over the last few days pretty pink bullfinches have been particularly visible around the nature trail.
My typical encounter with a bullfinch is one where I hear it's soft 'peu, peu' call and then see a white bottom disappearing into a nearby blackthorn thicket. But at this time of year, whilst there are no leaves on the shrubs and trees, you can get great views of them here. The usual 'hotspots' are along the zig zag path, around Fattengates courtyard and by Hanger View, but yesterday several were showing themselves very well along 'adder alley'.
Bullfinch by Chris Prince
Whilst looking for bullfinches along adder alley, if it is a sunny day, it is just worth keeping your eyes open for basking adders. None have been reported yet this year but they normally start to emerge in the latter half of February.
As you arrive at Pulborough Brooks, the first thing you are likely to hear is the great spotted woodpecker - they love to 'drum' on the big oak tree on the edge of the car park. Through the courtyard keep a look out on the feeders for lovely coal and marsh tits and boisterous nuthatch. Heading out from the centre a kestrel can often be seen hovering over the longer grass and arable plot and linnets perch on the birch trees as you wander down the zig zags.
West Mead hide is my favoured spot for snipe seeking - look for movement amongst the rushy tussocks on the edge of the pool particularly from the far end of the hide. The Pulborough range of dabbling ducks can also be seen well from this hide - teal, wigeon, pintail and shoveler.
Heading round to the North Brooks and Hanger View look in the pasture fields for members of the thrush family - song, mistle, fieldfare and redwing - all enjoy rooting around for insects in these fields. Hanger View is the best vantage point for raptor watching - marsh harrier and peregrine being the current highlights. The head down to Nettley's hide to admire more ducks and the black-tailed godwits, but don't neglect to look a little bit closer too - a water rail has been using the ditches right in front of the hide windows.
As the daylight fades woodcock have been seen flying from the cover of the wet woodland and across to the pools to feed. The best place to watch them from is the car park where you have clear sky. Last night they appeared at around 5.40 pm.