With thanks to volunteer Graham for his wildlife sightings report and photos.
I made an extra visit to Pulborough Brooks on Saturday with the main aim of getting some better photos of the newts in Uppertons Pond using my macro lens and polarising filter. Unfortunately, the morning was quite cool and overcast, and no newts were on show early on. We decided to look for Nightingales and to visit West Mead as an alternative, with a view to returning to the pond later on.
We heard at least three Nightingales, and I had fleeting views of one of them at Fattengates, but regrettably I had no chance of a photo. At West Mead Hide the Lapwings entertained us with their efforts to ward off Carrion Crows.
After a nice lunch on the tea terrace we went back to Upperton’s Pond. The only species that showed well enough for a photo was Palmate Newt.
We had the benefit of an excellent bonus when a White-tailed Eagle was harassed by a Red Kite above our heads. A Raven was also circling at a lower level and cronking loudly while I was taking this photo.
It was a bit warmer on Sunday, and an early visit to Upperton’s Pond provided views of both Great Crested and Palmate Newts, though I decided to wait until finishing my Hides & Trails duties before trying to get any photos.
It was very busy in terms of visitor numbers, with two sizeable groups swelling the numbers. Consequently the hides were packed. Nightingales were singing sporadically, and I heard at least four, and had brief views of two (but again no photos). It was not until I reached Hanger View that I was able to get a photo when a Wren popped into the open in front of the viewpoint.
On the way back to West Mead in the afternoon I found a bee-fly on one of the scallops along Adder Alley. Initially it was at rest and then it did some nectaring on the Primroses.
The spots on the wing indicate that this is a Dotted Bee-fly (which is significantly less common than the Dark-edged Bee-fly). I believe that the line of white spots down the rear of the abdomen makes this a female. I suspect that this might be the first time it has been recorded at the reserve.
Note from Anna: It is indeed a new record for the reserve Graham
West Mead Hide was much less busy than it had been in the morning, enabling me to mix a bit of photography with visitor engagement. The nesting pair of Avocets had been joined by a second pair that I had seen earlier on the North Brooks, and between them they provided some good aerial action.
This was supplemented by a Canada Goose fly-over.
On my return to Upperton’s Pond I found both Smooth (Common) and Palmate Newt, but again I only had (limited) success in photographing Palmate.