With thanks to volunteer Graham for his report and photos.
It was a cool day at Pulborough Brooks on Sunday, mostly dry but with the occasional brief spell of drizzle. Nevertheless, there were noticeably more butterflies about than there had been a week previously. Alongside the zigzag path, as well as the usual Meadow Browns there several Marbled whites, and I had a brief view of a Comma. I saw a couple of Ringlets
and Large Skippers,
while Small Skippers were a bit more numerous.
From West Mead Hide a Greenshank was showing on the pool, and more distantly some Cattle Egrets could be spotted among a group of cattle. A visitor then spotted a Peregrine fly in to land in the bare tree at the bottom corner of Upperton’s Field. Viewing it with my scope through the window at the south end of the hide revealed it to be a juvenile.
After leaving West Mead Hide, and briefly setting up my scope by the path to show the Peregrine to some visitors, I moved on along the trail taking the path through the flower meadow towards Redstart Corner. I was pleased to see several Cinnabar Moth caterpillars on the Ragwort,
and I also had an excellent view of an adult .
Past Redstart Corner, the Musk Mallow was in full bloom by the path (6). It began to drizzle so I hurried on to Winpenny Hide. Before I got there some visitors said they had seen a White-tailed Eagle which had landed out of sight on the other side of the river. When I entered the hide a visiting group pointed out where the eagle had landed. Within about five minutes I spotted it in the air. It flew a bit closer, landing in a tall tree that had previously been a favourite roosting site for the eagle pair.
Having left the hide I found a Chrysotoxum wasp mimic hoverfly by the path.
Following visits to the Ditch Dipping Ponds and Hanger View, and now in the company of fellow Hides & Trails volunteer Philip, I visited the field viewpoint behind the Hanger where I found a Syncopacma micro moth rapidly circling on the surface of a Bramble leaf .
It was soon time for us to return to the Visitor Centre. However, after handing back my radio I decided to spend some time on the heathland before heading home. There I located a few Green-eyed Flower Bees Anthophora bimaculata
and a Sand-tailed Digger Wasp Cerceris arenaria.
I also spotted a Xerolycosa nemoralis spider.
A very satisfying conclusion to another great day at Pulborough Brooks.
Note from Anna: Here's the full wildlife sightings board for Monday: