Tuesday's wildlife sightings from volunteer Gary...
"At Pulborough Brooks another cracking day but with a chill wind, just like a supermarket freezer section at the hanger, but a Mediterranean beach when you were out of the wind.
The day started well with bullfinch, blackcap and whitethroat eating blackberries and sunning themselves on the zigzag, and 30+ meadow pipits in the long grass and posing on the deer proof fence near West Mead.
A red kite then drifted low overhead and this proved to be just the first of a run of raptors. Settling into Winpenny it was obvious that its now Autumn as there were several groups of about 50 wigeon flying overhead and the lapwing numbers are growing with perhaps 200 -300 flying around.
Lapwing by Chris Prince
This was also a clue to look for raptors, and soon a hobby was seen chasing swallows (more swallows than martins this week). There was then some confusion in the hide as a couple of running commentaries didn't seem to match what was going on – then it became clear, there was a marsh harrier as well. Shortly afterwards a peregrine made two fast passes, and a sparrowhawk a brief foray. All the while a pair of kestrels seemed oblivious to the mayhem largely created by the marsh harrier.
Kestrel - photo by Chris Prince
Two ruff, a dunlin and a snipe were seen flying in the widely dispersed lapwing flocks and a green sandpiper in the mud on the north brooks. Also on the north brooks, half a dozen pintail had joined the mallard and teal. After walking back to west mead one of the ruff was fairly close among the lapwing giving great views
A visitor then dashed back into the hide and said there was an osprey overhead flying towards the north brooks - then something very unusual happened, I ran (that's right, ran) outside to get a clearer view. Unfortunately, it was a very pale buzzard with a very white breast. However, don't be afraid to make a mistake (I've done it hundreds of times!); so please, please, please continue to say you have seen something, I would hate to miss something."