Trip reports

MINIBUS TRIP TO PULBOROUGH BROOKS RSPB RESERVE - THURSDAY 7 May 2009

Thursday, 7 May 2009

13 left Salisbury for West Sussex on a cool overcast morning. The day remained virtually dry, although the gusty wind after lunch kept the songsters quiet. Fortunately both resident and migrant passerines were in good voice during the morning. As with our previous outing to Keyhaven, both common and lesser whitethroats were perched in view, as were willow warblers and a chiffchaff. Blackcap and garden warbler were singing, but from cover and gave only brief views. The main target species was nightingale, and although only one bird was seen in flight by just 3 members, all enjoyed the rich song of up to 8 individual males. A pair of bullfinches feeding on sallow catkins lit up the dull conditions.

Our stop at Jupp's View revealed many low flying sand martins, hawking over the scrapes, along with plenty of swifts, a few swallows and a couple of house martins. On the water, there were singleton drake shoveler, teal and pintail and several pairs of shelduck, gadwall and mallard. The short, wooded walk down to the Nettley Hide gave us nuthatch, a wren using a batbox, great tits and an unseen treecreeper in song. Later, a jay gathering dead bracken was observed at close quarters. The hide itself provided a snug place for lunch, with a sedge warbler, a reed bunting, and displaying lapwings as extra species. The only other wader noted was a redshank.

As usual, a pre departure visit to the excellent tea rooms was required, to reflect on a relaxing and enjoyable day's birdwatching at this excellent reserve.

Other species recorded :- Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, BH Gull, LBB Gull, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Cuckoo (distant calling bird heard by some), Green Woodpecker, GS Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit (only 1), Pied Wagtail (pair taking food to the eaves of the visitor centre) , Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blue tit, Long tailed tit, Starling, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet. (62)

Reported by Steve Oakes