This morning we headed out to Bramber Brooks. This is a fairly new nature reserve that is being developed locally. It is very damp in the winter and we have seen Snipe there previously as well as flushing a single Jack Snipe.The plan is to create some scrapes to attract waders and work is due to begin in August. Long term, it is hoped this will link with other areas to create a much larger wildlife corridor. In the meantime a series of grassy paths have been mown through the wet grassland and some wooden bridges have been constructed over the wettest parts. Some young saplings have been planted and there are numerous areas of bramble and scrub. A fence and gate have been erected and dogs are not permitted in the reserve. Last year our local birdwatching group, SDOS, put an own box up on the reserve which was initially used by a Barn Owl. However when we visited earlier this year, the box appeared to have been taken over by Jackdaws.
On our last visit we had some brilliant views of a Cuckoo and also Sedge Warblers, Linnets, Whitethroat and Blackcaps. Today we heard a Cuckoo but no sightings, and the other birds were all present again. A Buzzard roosted in a tree and a Red Kite flew over. But the highlight, and the purpose of our visit, was to see a young Tawny Owl which had been reported. Initially we spotted the adult bird, looking a beautiful rufous brown in the sunlight, then located a nearby ball of grey fluff sat on a nearby branch - the owlet.
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| Adult Tawny Owl |
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| Fluffy Owlet |
Comments
I still have never seen one!
It is a good time for finding them as the fluffy young owls sit out on a branch and are more easily seen. The adult is trickier but generally perched high up but not too far away. In a good light they strike as quite rufous.