The Pulborough Nightingales

Went out with Elaine and Susan today to RSPB Pulborough Brooks. I haven't been there for about three years, and I was very keen to see a Nightingale. The last time I saw one was in 2008 in Suffolk.

 

First thing I did see as we went into the visitor centre, was an old friend of mine, Lauren, working there. Had a nice catch up with her and she marked a map for us where the Nightingales had been seen the most. Another friend, Tricia, had also told me about the infamous Adder Alley at Pulborough, where the Nightingales are seen a lot. Both Lauren and Tricia were right. There were Nightingales galore all over the site. Their song had to be the most richest I have ever heard. I took hundreds of photos, a lot didn't focus as it was very difficult to spot one of the lovely Nightingales completely out in the open. So I'm not very pleased with the photos I did manage to get. There was always a twig, branch or blade of grass in the way. But I was just very happy to have seen them at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was plenty more to see. A variety of warblers could be seen and heard. We had Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Chiff Chaffs, Willow, Garden and Grasshopper Warblers. Wrens, Jays and Dunnocks. Swifts, House Martins and Swallows. And two sweet Ringed Plovers. Green Woodpeckers were seen and heard 'yaffling'. And towards the end of the day we heard Cuckoo several times, and then had a brilliant fly pass of two stunning Hobbys.

 

It was a glorious and long day out. The weather stayed fairly sunny, we missed the one and only short rain shower by sheltering in one of the hides. It was fairly cold though, so no sign of any adders. Im already looking forward to another visit in late summer.

 

Thanks Elaine and Susan for a great day out, a great laugh and some great birds.

 

 

 

 

Nuthatch

Swallow

 

possible Chiff Chaff

Garden Warbler

Whitethroat

Wren

Link to RSPB Pulborough Brooks