New year, new list

 As I said in my recent end of year round-up, I'm absolutely determined that 2021 will be the year I reach 150 on my Pulborough year list.

It's been a good start so far with 91 already on the scoreboard from five patch visits which, based on previous years attempts, sets me roughly on course to hit 100 by March.

Highlights so far have included a flock of 39 White-fronted Geese on the 10th, 7 Goosanders and 2 Tufted Ducks (also on the 10th), the celebrity Marsh Tit at Fattengates, the long-staying Cetti's Warbler on the east side of the North Brooks, the wintering flock of Woodlarks in Uppertons Field, a couple of Chiffchaffs near the sewage works and a bonus early Blackcap in our neighbour's garden on the 3rd. A gripping miss was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen by Mike Unwin on the 2nd, as this is a species I've still yet to catch up with on the patch, despite the RSPB having recording drumming birds in spring on audio recorders dotted about the place. I'm going to be helping the RSPB with this project this year though so hopefully will finally catch up with one.

Some photo highlights of 2021 so far...

Marsh Tit

Firecrest

Blackcap

Raven

White-fronted Geese leaving the North Brooks

Tufted Ducks on the Arun

Stonechat

White-fronted Geese heading off

Goosanders on the Arun, five of the seven.

Pulborough, 16th-17th February

Another good weekend on the patch which delivered two year ticks - one of them a new addition to my Pulborough list.

Saturday morning was a misty affair with not a great deal on offer on the Mid Brooks. The North Brooks appeared quiet too, at first glance, but before long I picked up a drake Goosander drifting about in front of Little Hanger hide. A hard species to catch up with at Pulborough, I've missed just one or two since we moved down here, so I was very pleased to finally get it on the patch list at last!

After a while of watching it from Little Hanger I moved on up to the Hanger from where the bird was still visible. At around 09:50 it took flight and did a lap of the North Brooks before heading northwest, and I assumed that was the last I'd see of it. However, it returned less than half an hour later and remained for most of the day - long enough for Paul to catch up with it (although he also said it flew off at one point before returning) and for me to get it on the attic list!

Other bits of note from Saturday were three Ruff, two Water Rail (heard only), 20 Shelduck, 150+ Black-tailed Godwits, at least six Gadwall and two pairs of Tufted Duck. Also great to see was a confiding Weasel at the Hanger. With all the early migrants arriving on the southerly winds in previous days I'd been half hoping to find a Little Ringed Plover, but sadly no joy - although it wasn't a totally fantastical wish as one turned up in London that day!

The Brooks were bathed in glorious sunshine on Sunday morning and there seemed to be singing Reed Buntings and drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers all over the place. The regular two White-fronted Geese showed well on the Mid Brooks with a few Canada Geese. It was nice to clearly see the belly bars and white blazes rather than just squinting at goose-shaped specks in the distance.

On the North Brooks, highlights were the three Ruff again, a single Dunlin and at least a hundred Black-tailed Godwits. A Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier were keeping the Lapwings and ducks - and each other - on their toes; one making a few lunges for the other each time it went to ground.

I kept one eye on the sky from the Hanger in the hope that one of these ridiculously early Swallows might whizz past. No such luck but I did notice two gleaming white dots high overhead which proved to be my first two Mediterranean Gulls of the year. They circled briefly over the North Brooks before drifting south.