It isn’t news to any of us that this summer has been HOT! Here at Pulborough, we’ve watched the grassy brooks turn brown, the trees drop their leaves prematurely and the small pools of water out on the brooks dry up to almost nothing. Of course, for a wetland reserve with wading birds on site all year round, it isn’t great to be without water, but we have managed to retain a small amount on the North Brooks by opening up our control structures and allowing the water from the high ground into the ditches. This means there have been just enough muddy edges around the pools to let waders continue to search for invertebrates in the ground and with them being concentrated in one area, spotting them has been easier than normal for our hides and trails team!
(Green Sandpiper - Gareth Hughes)
Since the beginning of the month, we’ve had daily sightings of common and green sandpipers with seven of the latter being spotted on the 6th. A wood sandpiper also made an appearance the day before, though it hasn’t been reported again since. It’s a good opportunity to see the ever-elusive snipe as they are being forced from their favourite skulking spots in the tall vegetation in search of food. You’ll still need a keen pair of eyes (and a scope) though as their creamy colouration will help them blend into the dry ground! Little ringed plover and black tailed godwit have also been spotted regularly.
(Snipe - Russ Tofts)
(Little ringed plover - Graham Osborne)
One of our volunteers recently reported seeing a large congregation of grey herons on the North Brooks, who were taking advantage of the vanishing water and gorging on the stranded fish. They aren’t the only birds making the most of the sunshine – birds of prey including red kite, marsh harrier and peregrine have all been sighted, likely enjoying the abundance of thermals.
Many of our migratory birds will be starting to think about heading back to their winter homes now. You may see swallows gathering in big flocks on telephone lines as they ready themselves for the epic journey to South Africa in September, while the house and sand martins may hang around until October.
(Swallows - Chris Prince)