With thanks to volunteer Graham for his wildlife sightings report and photographs.
It was fairly quiet as I went down the zigzag path, and I soon found myself at West Mead. As I entered the hide a regular visitor pointed out our resident White-tailed Eagles in two different trees on the far side of the Arun. There were a lot of wildfowl on the pond and in the air, including Teal,
and I counted five Snipe on the nearest island, one of which came out of hiding for a short while.
After sharing scoped views of the Snipe and the eagles (who were now both in their favourite tree) with a number of visitors I returned to the Visitor Centre as my radio battery had failed.
As I approached Pipe Pond I saw that a lot of Lapwing had gone up high, and I quickly spotted a Peregrine flying above them. After pointing this out to a few nearby visitors I completed my return to the Visitor Centre.
When I set out again I decided to go straight to the North Brooks. Soon after entering Nettley’s Hide I spotted a Peregrine in one of the Willows. I made my way to Hanger View where I joined fellow Hides and Trails volunteer Alex. The view from the viewpoint was partially obscured by twigs, so I suggested we walk down the path in the direction of Little Hanger Hide in the hope of getting a clearer view. After about 200m we found the perfect spot to set up our scopes, and for me to take a few photos.
This female now seems to have become a regular fixture. After sharing views with a few visitors I left Alex there and went back to Hanger View to eat my lunch. I was joined by a Blue Tit who selected the vegetarian option.
After lunch I went back and set up my scope by the path again to enable some more visitors to see the still present Peregrine.
Eventually it was time to move on Winpenny Hide from where the eagles could be seen perched in a different distant tree to the south. After a while they flew off, and I moved on to West Mead. As I entered the hide a visitor pointed out that one of the Snipe had moved very close to the hide, resting on the bank just beyond the ditch.
There were fewer wildfowl on the pond than there had been in the morning, but a few came within close range, including a male Shoveler
and a female Wigeon.
Photographically I finished the day as I started, with an aerial shot of Teal.