Birding visit to RSPB Pulborough Brooks on 25th April 2026

I went from London to Pulborough Brooks on a coach trip with a birdwatching group

The first bird I saw when I arrived was a distant Common Whitethroat

Nightingale perching on a tree in part of a woodland area

The Nightingale moved to a bramble beneath the tree

 There was some excitement when someone pointed out a Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly that had just emerged from its nymph skin and was hanging from it in order to harden up its body in the sunshine

The new dragonfly was hanging off a thin leaf in a small pond

Damselfly hanging from a leaf in the same small pond

Great White Egret wading around in a large lagoon in front of a bird hide

Little Egret in the marsh land

Two Mute Swans flew across the lagoon

Distant Buzzard flying overhead

Male Northern Shoveler at the edge of the lagoon

Posing Lapwing

Rather handsome male Pheasant

Well-disguised Common Redshank against a mud bank

Wood Pigeon having a bath

Greater Stitchwort flowers

with a helpful label - thanks!

When I returned to the small pond where I had seen the newly-emerged dragonfly, only the empty nymph case was left

Lovely white blossom along the edge of the path

Bluebells in the woodland walk

Song Thrush in the woodland area

Impressive trees on the hill

Returning along the path in the woodland, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was hanging off the side of a large tree trunk

Looking back at the path through the woodland

Dunnock on the path

Tiny Pied Wagtail and giant wooden Owl at the visitor centre

 It was a very interesting day spent in Pulborough Brooks and I would love to return there some time

Birds and nature in Rye Harbour Nature Reserve during a visit on the last day of my stay in Sussex - 23rd April 2026

Spotted Redshank at the far side of the Salt Pool

Avocet much nearer in a shallow scrape

Accommodating Shelduck

Male Linnet perching on a thin stem

Male Stonechat standing on top of a wooden post

Ivy-leaved Toadflax covering part of the shingle near the coast

Avocet on the move

Old railway carriage positioned just outside the reserve in Rye Harbour

Common Whitethroats on brambles

A last view of the Spotted Redshank in breeding plumage

Two Common Terns on one of the little islands in a lagoon

Female Linnet perching on a telegraph cable

 I spent a great dry sunny week visiting Winchelsea Beach, Pett Level, Hastings Country Park and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - I was so lucky!

Wildlife, nature and butterflies seen during visit to Hastings Country Park on 22nd April 2026

Song thrush near the top of a tree while on my way to Warren Glen

There weren't many birds about, but I did see a few butterflies:

Comma butterfly with very ragged wings

Side view of the Comma

Small Copper butterfly

Holly Blue butterfly

I walked down the path from the top part of Warren Glen

but decided not to go down to the lower part as it was too steep for me as I have a bad knee

Instead, I walked along Barley Lane and then went down the path leading to the Dripping well

Lots of Wild Garlic lined the edge of the path

There were also lots of Bluebells

and a Speckled Wood butterfly on white blossom

Here, again, the path was too steep for me so I went back up to Barley Lane

I was hoping to see Yellowhammers in the country park, but this notice by a field had to do!

I just managed to capture a tiny Wren in the undergrowth along Barley Lane

View of the Coastguard cottage and radar station on my way back to the visitor centre

I hope the roaming horses did not eat all the Bluebells!

Part of the old sand quarry wall

Looking down towards the coast from Hastings Country Park

White Fan-tailed Pigeon entering its home on the roof of a house at the edge of the country park

There were several Fan-tailed Pigeons on the roof that were ready to go home

I had an enjoyable day in Hastings Country Park, but was disappointed with the lack of birds and I had not realised that the area was so steep