Frozen Brooks

Fallow Deer

Frozen bog

Winter sunlight

Snipe - from a hide

Today was apparently World Wetland Day and the RSPB reserve at Pulborough Brooks offered free entrance, with volunteer experts on hand to answer questions. Alas, it was literally freezing and while there did seem to be quite a number of visitors, all but the geeky, 'scope-bedecked, beardy few were squeezed into the warm-looking cafe.




We were made of sterner stuff however and although barely able to move owing to the large number of layers of clothing, we set off past the frozen brooks and ponds on what was a gloriously sunny day with a crystal clear winter light and not a cloud in the sky. One or two birds had elected to stay behind too, although many had clearly headed towards the warmer coast where the water hadn't become so inhospitably hard.

A warmer corner out of the icy wind

There was a merry throng of bluetits, great tits and sparrows around the feeders, where we also saw chaffinch, coal tit and pied wagtail. Later, in some chilly hides and over our icy picnic, we saw Canada, greylag and a few whitefronted geese, dunlin, black-tailed godwit and a number of snipe. Occasionally, risking frostbitten flippers, a big group of wigeon took to the water amongst whom were also the odd mallard and shelduck.

On the return stroll we came across a female kestrel sharing a fence with a green woodpecker and back outside the entrance we saw a low pass by a beautiful buzzard.

Crossbill country

Before heading home we ventured into the common area and found one of the things we had come for: crossbills. The tops of the conifers were quite busy with finches, in particular goldfinches but we also saw both male and female crossbills amongst them and the chaffinches and greenfinches. The final birds of the day arrived in a large flock as we returned to the car: redwings.

Deer and Duck

As well as birds there were a few mammals in evidence: a large herd of fallow deer was quite close to the hides at times, a water vole could be seen from the viewing window at the entrance and a few highland cattle with impressive handlebars were also to be seen.

Nice Handlebars

A beautiful day and one to lift the heart in the depths of winter - but, by jingo, that wind was c-cold.

Icy water, wigeon and waders