We had decided to cross the border from Hampshire, this time heading east into West Sussex. We met at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Arundel first mainly because the weather was still unpredictable and this would allow us to use the hides while we assessed what the weather would do, and of course to have a good breakfast in the cafe. It was also helpful that the reserve had decided to open at 8.00 am today, normal opening time was 9.30.
Having negotiated the entry process we set of through the captive pens and our first stop was the Ramsar hide. In front of us was an open expanse of water with Greylag and Canada Geese on the dry spots in front of us. The hide faced east and behind a large expanse of cloud the sun was just rising sending out golden light across the scene in front of us.
It took sometime for the light to increase. The geese were the dominant birds, with their honks constantly filling the air. Away to our right there were Tufted Duck and Pochard, while at the back of the water were a few Wigeon and a lot of Teal. Ian managed to find two Snipe sat on an island, but it was the geese that were the most animated with those on the land in front of us fighting amongst each other and others, mainly Canda Geese arriving from the back of the reserve.
A Greylag Goose makes its way across the shallow water after being chased off by a pair of Canada Geese.
After a while we decided to walk around to the Sand Martin hide, there were more wildfowl closer to the hide here, and we were also treated to a Kingfisher flying across the lake and disappearing into the bushes on the other side.
Tufted duck are always very photogenic.
While being able to get close to Pochard is becoming difficult so it was nice to be able to see a few pairs relatively close up.
We had been having a few rain showers, with one or two being quite intense. The Tufted Duck become even more photogenic when they move into darker water.
The rain drops collecting on the drakes back.
You do become a little obsessed.
A pair remained on a small island preening.
At the back of the lake there were eight drakes pursuing a single female, with head bobbing and calls.
A pair of Pochard then flew past the hide.
The drake then returning.
While an adult and immature Shelduck found their way to the island where they sat and preened.
Walking around to the Scrape Hide we came across a Cetti's Warbler creeping through the hedge surrounding one of the captive pens. From the hide itself there was a a large group of at least 20 male Teal all calling and head bobbing around three females. On the island a duck Mallard could be seen in amongst the tangle of hawthorn branches, the emerging sunlight just catching her breast and highlighting her.
The teal continued their courtship attempts.
And a female Tufted duck was taking in the sunshine.
After taking a break for breakfast we headed out to the Lapwing Hide. On the way we passed some open water where the reeds and grass was sending some lovely reflections into the water, highlighting again a drake Mallard.
The area in front of the Lapwing hide was flooded and aside from three crows that had obviously found something of interest on a grass mound, there was nothing about. Heading back two Red Kite cruised up and down the ridge above us, gliding on open wings and with no effort at all would be visible one minute then completely gone the next.
To get to the hides we passed through the many captive pens with duck and geese from around the world. It is a good opportunity to get up close to duck that you just wouldn't get the opportunity with. Common Scoter for instance, usually seen as a black distant duck flying past, here was the chance to appreciate the duck with its beautiful yellow bill.
I had resisted the chance to take photographs, it just didn't seem right, but when we came across a Pintail drake close to the fence I had to get some close up portraits of what is my favourite duck.
Here the beautifully waved pattern on the flanks contrasting with the chocolate brown head.
While in this shot the lovely markings on the bill.
The showers had seemed to have dried up, and the radar was showing the conditions to be clear. Our reason for heading east was to try and find Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl, both of which have been in short supply in Hampshire, but have been reported at Amberley Wildbrooks. I had hoped to see them when I was at Pulborough at the end of November with no luck, so was hoping we could be successful today.
We left Arundel and then headed north, as we came down towards the village of Amberley we could see the fields were flooded, the river Arun up to the top of the dikes on either side and in places the dikes breached and water flowing through. We parked just up from the Black Horse pub and then donned wellies and headed down the hill and out onto Amberley Wildbrooks.
The River Arun traces a serpentine path across an extensive
flat area of grassland, bounded on the horizon by hills and woods, while to the south the escarpment of the South Downs looms over the flat land. The
grassland itself is dissected by numerous ditches, mostly dug in the 1800s to
assist drainage.
The path we were following was the Wey South path, the only access to this amazing area. The path was littered with milky white puddles and mud, but was passable. On our left heading north the flooded fields held good numbers of Wigeon, their whistling calls announcing their presence. Above a Sparrowhawk passed over heading towards the wooded areas of the village.
A pair of Stonechat we along the path, moving from the bushes to the fence posts.
There were pockets of dry ground, and even this was probably covered in water. Lapwing appeared to be everywhere and would take to the air every so often. Both Canada and Greylag Geese were out on the water and grazing in the dryer spots. The whole area had the feel of a complete wilderness, the flooded land preventing any encroachment.
Red Kite could also be seen, mostly far away to the south, they were present in good numbers with one group of six birds. We headed south negotiating the deep puddles and scattering Redwing and Fieldfare from the bushes alongside the path.
At a bend in the path we could see where the path should go, but it was flooded. We walked as far as we could coming out from the trees with a brick barn building to the right. In the trees leading to the barn were Red Kite, there were at least four in the tree but they flew off, circling around the area.
Before coming back to settle in the tree.
A lovely silhouette in the winter tree.
Dark clouds were gathering over the South Downs, and very soon we couldn't see the Downs. We found shelter under ivy and holly and waited for the rain to pass which it did quite quickly. We walked back down the path to where we had scanned earlier, but decided as the sun returned to head back to the end of the path, the hope was the Kites would come close in the sunshine. All the bushes along the path were covered in a lovely lichen, the sage green of the leaves contrasting with the inky blackness of the water below.
We were now being treated to a real raptor show. Red Kites were now counting into double figures, and distant birds over the top of the trees to the north took the numbers close to at least 20. These were joined by at least six of both Marsh Harrier and Buzzard, a single Kestrel could also be seen hovering over the marsh. Then Ian picked up one of the birds we were hoping for, a Ring-tail Hen Harrier. Picked out at first by its size and long tail and more rounded wings, but then identification was confirmed as it banked and showed the white rump.
Unfortunately it was much too distant for photographs, it was at the extremity of the binoculars. We watched as it drifted high across the flooded path before disappearing behind the trees in the distance. It has been a while since I have seen one, so it was great to finally catch up with one at last, albeit very distant.
We stood in the water at the edge of the flooded path, because we could, calls of Jackdaw alerted us to a huge flock of Lapwing and Starling all grouping close together, we then picked up a falcon amongst them, a Peregrine, it flew around but had obviously lost the element of surprise and so headed away towards the downs where it probably had a prominent perch from where it watched over the flock on the brooks.
A Red Kite then came a lot closer cruising the tops of the trees.
I do not recall seeing so many birds of prey gathered in one spot as we could see here before. One spot was attracted in the Red Kite like vultures, the kites dropping to the ground and appearing to fight over something. Again they were distant but this gives some idea of the action.
We assumed that with all the water there were a lot of drowned animals like voles, rats and mice and the Red Kite and Marsh Harriers were picking them up as they floated in the water.
With all the action taking place at the back of the brooks we decided to walk back to the car, have some lunch and then come back with the telescopes, it wasn't going to be a day for photographs so we needed to ensure we didn't miss anything.
As we walked back we came across a large herd of Fallow Deer crossing the flooded field and making their way to dryer ground.
The sound of the camera stopped them and they stood and watched us.
After lunch we headed back, the sun was now all but gone, clouds were rolling in from the South Downs but as yet did not look threatening, we set ourselves at the last gate, stepping inside the field for a better all round view but staying close to the fence. The Fieldfare and Redwing were still calling in the bushes behind us and there was even a Song Thrush warming up with its song, never quite getting into full chorus but getting close.
We watched the show that was still the birds of prey, Red Kite drifting up and down, and even engaging and mobbing the Marsh Harriers. We picked up the Hen Harrier again and watched it on several occasions flying up and down. With the scope it was possible to see clearly the ring tail, especially when the tail was fanned out as the harrier twisted and hovered at times over the grass. The white rump was even more clearer in these circumstances as well. The Hen Harrier appeared slighter than the more robust Marsh Harrier. At one point the Hen Harrier dropped to the ground and was then joined by two Marsh Harriers and a Red Kite. All then came up and went there own ways, again maybe there were dead animals in the grass.
The following day there were reports of two Hen Harriers, and thinking back it could have been that we saw two, they would head off in one direction, disappear and then appear back where we had seen one. Difficult to be sure but a distinct possibility.
The ground at the back of the brooks suddenly became covered in deer, we had to assume these were Fallow Deer collecting to graze on the dryer ground, it reminded me of the herds of distant wildebeest we had seen in Tanzania.
We kept scanning looking and hoping to see the elusive Short-eared Owl. A Kestrel in a bush and a pale Buzzard skimming the tops of the reeds had me excited at one point only to realise that it was not what I was hoping for.
The birds of prey kept hunting, and in the gloom the birds on the flooded meadows became a lot more flighty, the Lapwing of course leading the way.
But the Starling were also beginning to gather in large flocks.
We walked slowly back up the path, pausing to scan the dry areas in the hope that there would be an owl, we didn't care what species any would do now. It was though not to be, and we decided with rain drops starting to fall to head back to the cars and to call it a day.
Our first venture to the east had been a successful one, the raptor fest on the brooks was incredible to see, and we will be back. This has also whet our appetites for maybe a little more adventuring into Sussex, 2020 could be an interesting year.
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