Thanks to volunteer Graham Osborne for his report and photographs.
There was fine weather at Pulborough Brooks on Sunday, and a lot of visitors were on the wetland trail.
As I got out of my car I heard my first Nightingale of the day. An Adder showed briefly from the top of the zigzag path, and as I reached the bottom of the path I heard the scratchy song of a Whitethroat. There was plenty of birdsong to be heard at Fattengates Courtyard, where a male Blackbird made a brief visit.
As I left the courtyard I heard the distant song of a Cuckoo, and then I saw a Comma butterfly by the side the path as I approached Pipe Pond.
A little further on I found some Herb Robert,
and at Simm’s Pond the Water Crowfoot was beginning to show nicely.
West Mead Hide was full of visitors, so I decided to continue along the trail. The Greater Stitchwort seems to be particularly prolific this year, with lots of large patches along the trail.
Other flora to be seen alongside the path to Redstart Corner included Apple blossom
and Cuckoo Flower.
A Sixteen Spot Ladybird was on a Greater Stitchwort flowerhead.
At Redstart Corner a Whitethroat appeared to be gathering nesting material from the Bulrush heads.
As I approached Winpenny Hide I spotted an Adder soaking up the sun. Although it was not very easy to see, I was able to set up my scope to give a number of visitors a reasonable view. Quite by chance, while doing so I noticed my first Large Red Damselfly of the year.
A male Orange Tip butterfly was also nearby.
From Winpenny Hide it was possible to see five Mediterranean Gulls and two pairs of Avocets in the middle distance. There were few birds within photographic range, but a couple of Starlings came quite close.
After leaving the hide I noticed that the Adder was still in the same spot, and, as there were a lot of passing visitors, I set up my scope again for another half hour before moving on towards Adder Alley. When I got there I found an Early Mining Bee.
Reaching Hanger View I joined fellow Hides and Trails Volunteer Nick who pointed out a pair of Oystercatchers, and we were later also joined by another H&T Volunteer Alex. A number of visitors enjoyed views of the birds on the North Brooks, and I was able to help a couple of photographers get some photos of a pair of nestbuilding Linnets before heading back to the Visitor Centre.