It took a few minutes to actually find how to reach the cottage (we had come previously earlier in the spring to try and find it via the footpath but failed), but once there we were immediately taken in by the incredible view. Looking west we were closer to the pools and lakes on the North Brooks than from any of the RSPB hides, and with the sun shining on a glorious May afternoon it was a beautiful view and location.
After settling in we decided just to spend the rest of the afternoon and early evening sitting in the sun and enjoying the sights and sounds of the North Brooks. Early on the low sun was not conducive to pictures looking out across the brooks, but here was a view looking to the north west and the Hanger that runs as part of the reserve.
A feature of the brooks is the herd of highland cattle that graze these marshes, this cow ambling slowly through the grass.
In the small garden outside the kitchen window there were several feeders that were constantly in use. Great and Blue Tit were not unusual, but it was fascinating to watch the Jackdaw hanging on to the feeder, with Rook below on the grass picking up the pieces that were dropped. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also a regular visitor, and I tried desperately to get a photograph as it approached the feeders, and perched on the trees but it was very wary and this was the best I could get.
As we moved into the early evening a number of hirundines appeared, and these were then joined by a pair of Swifts that screamed around the trees at the back of Barn.
There was a bank of cloud away to the west, and as the sun settled behind the cloud the colours of the pools on the brooks started to change.
Here duck, mostly Mallard on the water as the light fades.
And an enhanced panorama of the setting just after the sun had set, magical.
We had hoped for a Barn Owl sighting, as there are at least two pairs locally, we were told that up until two weeks ago one had hunted in front of the Bran, but unfortunately, nothing showed tonight. Finally it was inky black and we retired to sit by the lovely wood burner.
The morning started with a little mist and cloud, but bright, and thankfully dry. On th elawn in front of the Barn a female Pied Wagtail was searching for insects, it would seem she must have a nest close by.
After breakfast with the sun beginning to break through we set off on the footpath that leads past the Bran, and followed it around into the RSPB reserve. Passing Fattengates we heard a Nightingale singing, and as we came around to the bottom of the zig-zag path there was another present which we saw briefly as it moved at the back of the hedge, but despite waiting and looking there was no clear view.
We decided to move on, and the next stop was the West Mead Hide where I was surprised to see two Avocet on the edge of the water, not a bird I had expected to find here today, and as a pair they appeared settled, maybe a hope of breeding, although there would be huge risk from the crows and other mammals.
Outside the hide a small herd of cattle had calves. You are never too far away from cattle here at Pulborough, and this cow and calf were a picture.
Walking from the hide, a Kestrel flew across and settled on a post on the other side of the path.
I was able to get a little closer before she flew off once again.
She flew around and finally settled in the large Oak tree that is just outside the hide, perching on a large branch that juts out from beneath the canopy. She appeared quite wary, checking the surroundings.
Just after this she dropped and disappeared into the ivy where I can only assume there was a nest. As she appeared above our heads I would consider that she had appeared from here in the first place.
Next stop was the Winpenny Hide, and as is usually the case very little was to be seen, although Helen did find this Great Spotted Woodpecker to the right hand side of the hide.
With the sun now out there were butterflies about, and the path from the Winpenny Hide towards Adder Alley seems always at this time of year to produce Orange-Tip. They were about, and as is usually the way they were not stopping. Along with the sunshine there was also dark clouds, and the appearance of low flying Swifts emphasised the point that there was rain not far away.
A Peacock butterfly nectaring and sunning on the May flowers was a nice find even if it was a rather tatty butterfly at this time of they year.
Walking along "Adder Alley", there were no Adders to be seen, there was though a distant Nightingale in song, and a singing Lesser Whitethroat. The latter was quite close, and gave tantalising glimpses quite close at the top of the hawthorn bushes. It led me a merry dance, moving around the area, and singing all the time, it never strayed from the area it covered, and you could almost guarantee where it would go next.
I finally managed to get a clear shot as it flew to the middle of one of the hawthorn bushes it had previously sang briefly from the top of.
It was now starting to rain, and we decided to walk to the Hanger where there was some shelter amongst the trees. Looking out across the Brooks we could see Banks Cottage on the left, and the Barn where we were staying on the right hand side of the photograph.
We didn't visit the hides, but walked along the trail to Jupp's View, and then back again. Calls from a large old Oak tree saw a Treecreeper appear, probably from a nest. It stayed close and worked most of the branches allowing a brief view as it explored some broken wood.
Walking back around Adder Alley, both the Nightingale and the Lesser Whitethroat were not to be heard, but in their place was a male Blackcap in full song.
We retraced the path back towards the West Mead Hide, we didn't go in, but was able to see the Avocet, now feeding, on the pool, through the trees.
A little further along we came across a family party of Long-tailed Tits, the young looking like they have recently fledged and being fed by exhausted looking parents.
They were very mobile but at one point they gathered on a branch all together, I only managed to get three of them.
From the West Mead Hide we walked on back to the visitor centre where we stopped for a drink, sitting outside on the picnic tables where we were joined by the resident House Sparrows.
The tameness of the sparrows allowed some close photographs, and allowed you to appreciate the beauty of these overlooked birds.
I have read where there appearance is compared to the Cockney cheeky chappie complete with grey flat cap, and the colours help to emphasis this, the grey and rufous brown on the head, and the greys, black and browns in the plumage.
Here the back of this male seems to have more dominant grey than that seen in most males.
And from the side the beauty of the male House Sparrow.
We had decided to walk a loop following the footpaths across the north Brooks and alongside the river Arun, into Pulborough. As we crossed the most open part of the walk the skies opened up and it rained quite heavily. The footpath leads to the main road through Pulborough, and as we reached the road the rain eased. We then turned back onto a path that leads alongside the edge of the brooks following one of the many dykes, that took us eventually back to the Barn. We decided that we would spend the rest of the afternoon sitting in the sun, which is what we were able to do despite one short shower.
There was plenty to see around the Barn, a pair of Bullfinch visited the Cherry Tree in the garden.
The male was continually calling with the soft piping whistle
The purpose of the calling became clear when a female turned up close to the male.
It stayed for a short while before both of them flew off together, clearly he was waiting for her, I can relate to that!
The Jackdaws and Rooks still argued and squabbled both on and around the garden feeders, this Rook perching and calling from a dead tree overlooking the barn.
Out on the brooks the Canada Geese were the dominant bird, and their calls could be heard constantly. They were joined though by good numbers of Egyptian Geese, that were paired up and could be seen flying around, their brilliant white wing panels standing out as they flew around calling.
This pair wandered close to the reserve fence and I crept down to get closer, on seeing me they waddled off, always keeping a watchful eye on me.
There was quite a bit of scrub to the left of the barn, consisting on dense bramble bushes and Hawthorn just in front of the more mature trees of the Hangar. A Blackcap was singing, and also on and off a male Whitethroat, singing from prominent positions on various bushes it was clear establishing a territory.
With the sun not as strong as it was yesterday you get a better sense of the view in the middle of the afternoon.
Towards the early evening a pair of Buzzards could be seen soaring over the Hanger, and they drifted towards the Barn where they engaged in some talon clasping. One drifted over closer giving the opportunity for some flight shots.
The female Pied Wagtail we had seen first thing in the morning was still about, and I was convinced there has to be a nest. She perched close to us on the brick wall.
An opportunity for a preen and time to take in the warm sunshine.
As the sun sank lower I became interested in the antics of bees on the geranium plants in a pot on the terrace. It may have been many different bees, or just the same bee returning, but it, or they, spent a lot of time on these tiny little flowers.
What I love about these shots is the back lighting highlighting the hairs on the bee.
And here the silk floating from the plants strands catching the sunshine and flashing white lines, white lines blow away.
Yet another view of the Hangar lit by the sinking sun.
There was no cloud on the horizon this evening to hide the setting sun.
Egyptian Geese flew around the Brooks in pairs.
While the colour of the sky after sunset reflected pink in the water of the brooks.
Once again there was no sign of any hunting Barn Owl, but later reports came through of one seen around the bank of the river Arun just before sunset.
At dawn the Brooks were shrouded in a thick mist, I awoke to find this and went straight back to sleep. Later the sun had burned off the mist and the skies were perfectly clear, and the view over the brooks was as splendid as ever..
The Highland cattle fringed the water, in some places throwing reflections into the stillness.
Unfortunately our time was up, and we had to pack up and go home, we will return, the idea of being here in winter with the large flocks of wildfowl on the Brooks, and hopefully sightings of birds of prey to match them is too tempting to resist, but for now all we have is the memory of the amazing view across the open expanse of the North Brooks.
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