Friday 19th April 2024: A Good Birding Day

 Finally an opportunity to get out for some birdwatching, we set out along the River Adur around 8am. It was pretty cold, but at this time of year migrating waders often stop off on the river to refuel en route to their summer breeding grounds. On this date last year we had ticked our first Whimbrel of the year... and right on cue, here they were again! We located two birds, a little mobile due to the activities of morning dog walkers, together with a tagged Curlew, all foraging around the mudflats at the water's edge.

Whimbrel

Curlew

The tagged Curlew is part of a re-introduction scheme at the Burgh, so it was interesting to see this making use of the river. Apparently it was released in 2022 and has overwintered in Pembrokeshire. 

Later in the day, we were able to get out to Pulborough Brooks where, despite some inclement weather, we enjoyed a walk around the reserve and were very lucky in strategically avoiding the showers by timely stops at the cafe and various hides around the reserve. We started with lunch while waiting for a shower to pass across, then wandered down the Zigzags, where we found several Whitethroats and Blackcaps singing and showing well. Next we headed to The Hangar where we scanned the North Brooks, searching for a Green-winged Teal, reported over recent days. No luck with that, but we did see plenty of Shoveler, Teal, Mallard and a pair of Pintail. There were around half a dozen Avocet wading through the water, bills scything constantly below the surface. A single Black-tailed Godwit was also present. From Little Hangar Hide, sheltering from the rain, we found Swallows and House Martins overhead, our first of the year. We continued on to Adder Alley, where an obliging Nightingale actually posed in the open and serenaded us with a mesmerising solo performance of its incredible song.

Nightingale

Next we took a short diversion along a public footpath towards the river, where a singing Sedge Warbler perched in a bush above the reeds. Behind the trees, a Cuckoo called loudly, but remained invisible. Returning to the visitor centre, we were entertained by the soundtrack of numerous Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs as we crossed the reserve. 

It had been a lovely afternoon's birding, and such a joy to hear again those familiar songs of our Summer migrants, heralding better days after the long cold, wet winter.