TJ and Shane visit Pulborough Brooks in Sussex.

Hi all.

I had planned a visit to Pulborough Brooks for Wednesday and mentioned it to TJ in an email as he had expressed an interest in re-visiting there in the hope of seeing Nightingales, it was a little to early in the year but the chance of seeing Adders was enough for him to drive down and join me. The bright sunny day they had forecast was not going to arrive though courtesy of the Sahara Desert, pollution from the European mainland and our own pollution making it a grey day:-(

I arrived at 09.30 and as TJ said he would be a bit later I set off into the reserve there was plenty to hear and see even if the light was lousy there was the sound of Blackcaps singing from everywhere unforunately I could not get a decent pic due to the bad light.

 As I got down to where the path spilts so you can go clockwise or anti-clockwise there are some ponds so I had a good look around there I found a female Blackbird collecting nest material and she had no interest in me and then a very obliging Chiffchaff who landed right above me.

I then caught something else fly in nearby and it turned out to be a female Bullfinch but again I could not get any decent photo's curse the bad light, here is the best I could get and has now been deleted.

It was around this time TJ phoned to say he had arrived and he was on the way down to meet me, we met up and exchanged greetings and set off clockwise around the reserve.

We soon came across a Dunnock singing away almost asking for its photo to be taken so who were we to not take the chance?

As we came to the first hide (West Mead Hide) we settled in to see what was around unfortunately there was not a lot other than some Greylag Geese, a pair of courting Lapwings, some Mallard, Canada Geese and some distant deer which promptly disappeared as I tried to pont them out to TJ.

We decided to move on to the next hide to see what was around there before we headed up "Adder Alley" the next hide is called "Winpenny Hide" and looks over the same area as the last hide but from a different direction so as expected there was not a lot to see which I have to say is very unusual.

There was still no chance of the sun breaking through the grey dismal sky so hopes of finding Adders was not looking good but we gave it a shot but alas all that was in the undergrowth was a variety of bees and flies as well as this Peacock Butterfly.

We then moved on to Little Hanger Hide to see what was around there this overlooks a wide expanse of the reserve and is home to a wide range of waterfowl plus anything else passing by, this area was seriously flooded at the start of the year as can be seen in this blog (look for the 18th of January).

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/pulboroughbrooks/b/pulboroughbrooks-blog/archive/2014/01/18/where-is-this-all-headed.aspx

Here is the same view as the photo in the blog (taken from Hanger View) and as you can see the water has gone back to its normal level and at the same time you can see the level of "smog".

There is a large Willow to the left of this view point which is a favourite perching point for one of the Peregrines to hunt from and eat at but no joy today.

We did however have a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers fly into the top a a tree near us heres to best I could get not brilliant I know but "hey ho".

Also seen from the view point was a pair of Jackdaws one of whom seemed very interested in this hole in the Willow the Peregrine uses, where they thinking of nesting there considering the Peregrine threat I cannot answer that as they were chased off by a crow?

We then moved on to Jupps View which also looks across the same area and then on to Nettleys hide which again looks over the same area and according to a sign had been underwater for nearly a month due to the floods. The reserve staff had obviously been working hard and had got it back to a clean usable state so we settled down here for a while but not after having seen this Song Thrush just before getting to the hide.

When in the hide we saw Widgeon, Teal, Mallard, Shelduck, Swans, Geese mainly Canada, Little Egrets, Moorhen, Coot a pair of Jays and some Deer, at the time I thought they were Roe but having checked an old report on this reserve I done I think they could be Fallow as Aiki had previously helped ID them for me.

Poor photo of the deer in the distance and the murk.

Another shot this time with the one of the Jays in view.

Pair of Shelduck on the water in front of the hide.

We spent a fair time in this hide but then decided to head back around the reserve the way we had come just in case some Adders had decided to brave the gloom but this was not to happen. On the way to "Adder Alley" we went pst where the Deer had been seen from the hide so i told TJ we might get a better view if we quietly moved through the trees and sure enough we did.

 

Aware that TJ had a long journey back we headed back to the visitors centre but the highlight of the day was still to come and for me the trip was woth it just for this little beauty a male Bullfinch happily eating the Blossom, this is the closest I had been to a bullfinch since my teens and before you ask, yes I can remember back that far. 

Can anyone ID this plant we saw, I took this with my phone as its macro ability seems to work better than my camera lol thanks in advance?

Heres a couple of Adder pics from a previous visit to Pulborough just for TJ to make up for not seeing any this time.

Thats my lot folks,and thanks for the great company TJ and if I'm free when you next visit Pulborough to see the Nightingales it would be a pleasure to join you?

 

  • Great report, Shane. Thanks for doing such a detailed one, I felt I was back there again today.

    It was a shame that that the weather stayed so gloomy all day despite the promise that the sun would break through in the afternoon. Although the day was quite warm the Adders like some sun on their backs so despite a lot of searching they were keeping out of sight. One day I'll get to see them but thanks for posting the photo from a previous visit.

    It was not a good day for photography but you managed some good shots, Shane. I'll just add a few that I took although they largely duplicate the ones Shane has posted.

    The ever present Dunnock

    A friendly Robin; pity we didn't have some nibbles for him.

    Chiffchaffs were singing all over the reserve but were very mobile. Here's one I managed to snap.

    Seeing the small herd of deer was a treat for me. Don't get to see them much round my way. Did we decide they were Fallow Deer, Shane?

    A pretty rubbish shot of a young stag.

    Even though we were in a hide they were aware of our presence.

    I was surprised how many Shelducks there were on the reserve. This was another pair feeding out on the marsh.

    Seeing the male Bullfinch just as we were leaving was a treat. Again, it's not a bird that I see very often.

    Feeding on the fresh shoots of small tree - fruit growers nightmare - but not here.

    Thanks for your company, Shane and for showing me where to find the adders even though we were unsuccessful. We must do it again.

    I certainly want to go back in a few weeks when the Nightingales return. Here's why. This is one from last year.

  • Brilliant shots TJ! I agree with Alan!

  • Brilliant additions TJ, that nightingale is a cracker.

    No Shane we don't seem to have a problem here with the red sand, listening to the weatherman it seems the clouds picked up extra pollution from France before dropping the lot on the UK; Sorry!!

  • Thanks Alan, it was a great day considering the haze but we will not be beaten and will get some Adder Photos this year.

  • Thanks TJ for your addition that last Nightingale photo is a blinder and thanks again for your company.

  • Thanks for replying Noisette, I looked on Google maps for your location you hit lucky not getting the sand,I even had to wash the car and don't worry no one blames you :-)

  • Great report and photos from the both of you Shane and TJ. It looks like a really nice reserve with a good variety of birds and animals. It was good to see the photos of the Deer as I only ever see Roe Deer around here.

    Paul

  • Thank you, Paul, Bob and Birdie Wild.

  • Glad you guys had a good day - some lovely photos there. Hope that the Adders and Nightingales play ball next time!

  • Cheers M, sorry you could not make it this time maybe you will be free when I next visit hopefully at the same time as TJ?