Wednesday 11th February 2026: Pulborough Brooks

 We were lucky to get another break in the constant rain as we met up with Sue at Pulborough Brooks for a morning’s birding. The brooks were inundated with water, looking more like an inland sea, with these conditions having some impact on the birds seen.

Pulborough Sea!

We started well on the zigzags with good sightings of many common species, the highlight being a pair of Bullfinches perched briefly atop the trees. Approaching Fattengates, a noisy pair of Wrens drew attention to themselves, and showed remarkably well.

Wren

Outside Westmead Hide, plenty of Redwings foraged in the bushes, but we failed to find any Fieldfare throughout the reserve. There were hardly any perching points or islands near the hide, with the top of a gate at mid distance just poking over the top of the water. Amongst the usual wildfowl species, we noted around six Pochard, diving ducks that are not often seen here, and a reflection of the high water levels. There were no waders, including Snipe, which have presumably been displaced - there are record numbers of Snipe at the Adur Estuary at the moment. Raptors were also thin on the ground with no Harriers seen, just a Red Kite and a Kestrel.

Pochard

We couldn’t follow the usual path to the next hide, as the ground was waterlogged, so retraced our steps towards Nettley’s. This was closed due to flooding. We had hoped to find Treecreeper by the wooded path, but sadly there was no sign today. From the viewpoint we noted an astonishing number of Pintail enjoying the extended waterway, and found some Shoveler which were absent at Westmead. 

In the field we found a good mix of corvids, as we walked round to Winpenny hide, which was surrounded by water! On the far bank a line of Lapwing rested, together with a few Canada and Egyptian Geese. Many Wigeon were here too, before being put up by a helicopter, causing them to relocate to the safety of the water. Outside the hide, a Cetti’s Warbler entertained us with a splendid burst of song, but despite sounding extremely close we failed to locate it.

View from Winpenny hide

We ended the day on forty species, a reasonable haul, but lacking the waders which might have added to our tally. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable morning, and interesting to experience the brooks in full flood, and to note the impact on the wildlife found at this site.