As I'm normally on duty at Pulborough Brooks on New Year's Day I've made it my tradition to keep a list of the birds that I've seen from the visitor centre. I set myself some rules...I'm allowed to use a telescope (which introduces the possibility of some of the wetland birds on West Mead pool) but I'm not allowed to set foot outside of the building. This year I managed 31 species - my record is 40 - but not bad going considering the rather gloomy weather. My highlights were marsh tit, bullfinch, fieldfare and a lovely kestrel who spend much of the day hovering over Upperton's field.
Not my photo, and not quite the blue skies but to give you the idea...
Had I been able to venture further I could have added more to the list. Out on the trails we had reports of black-tailed godwit, snipe, ruff, goldcrest, treecreeper, peregrine and a merlin. And of course, plenty of ducks. As I was leaving, I heard a tawny owl hooting from the car park. A couple of lucky visitors had fantastic views of two stoats.
This nice wintery selection was supplemented yesterday (Monday 05) by 38 Bewick's Swans. Given that 39 have been reported in the valley, I wonder where the other one has got to? (or perhaps our warden Dave can't count!). I'm hoping they will roost here again, particularly as we have our ' dawn of the ducks' event on Saturday. It's always great to see the Bewick's swans on these early morning walks, but the cooked breakfast that Mel and her team in the café provide afterwards (and the handsome pintails, squabbling godwits and lovely lapwings) always help to compensate if they're not around!