PULLBOROUGH brooks rspb

A spring walk through the Arun Valley

Despite being only 30 years old, Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve has evolved into an important inland bird sanctuary in the Arun Valley for a variety of declining wetland species, such as Redshank, Snipe, Lapwing and Yellow Wagtail, all of which breed in small numbers. A series of hides overlook water-controlled lagoons and wet grazing land bordered by reed-fringed ditches, and, to the north, arable farmland,

dry pasture and hedgerows. The lagoons offer the chance of summer passage waders such as Black-tailed Godwit, Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper. The visitor centre is located on the edge of Wiggonholt Common and affords spectacular views across the Arun Valley and along the woodland edge, which is a good spot for observing birds of prey such as Buzzard, Hobby and Red Kite. A heathland restoration project close to the car park has already yielded results, attracting Nightjar, Tree Pipit and the occasional Redstart among the usual suite of heathland birds. Scrub and damp thickets support a decent population of Nightingales, while Grasshopper Warbler can sometimes be heard ‘reeling’ from rank grassland across the valley. Patches of deciduous woodland complete a rich variety of habitats, ensuring a wide range of species throughout the walk. While the bulk of this circular walk is on the RSPB reserve, the section offsite to the north is worth the extra mileage as it crosses the River Chilt, where Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher are likely. Paul Trodd