Watch out for winter birds flying into Pulborough

At this time of year, many of us want to escape to warmer places by taking a winter break and it’s just the same for our feathered friends.

 

Many continental birds visit our shores over the winter, as part of the mass migration from countries as far away as Scandinavia, Iceland and Russia. Despite us feeling the winter chill, many of these birds have come in search of a warmer climate.

 

One of the most anticipated winter arrivals is the Bewick’s Swans, who come to the Arun Valley each year from their summer breeding grounds in Siberia, and were reported at RSPB Pulborough Brooks reserve on 11 December.

 

Bewick’s swans arrive in the valley anytime between the end of October and late December. They stay in the area feeding out in the fields during the day and roosting close to water at night until March. Currently, 8 individuals have been sighted, but up to 50 are expected to arrive in the valley over the next few weeks.

 

Winter can feel a bit bleak and the temptation is to stay in doors but the RSPB is encouraging people to get out and enjoy what nature has to offer at this time of year.

 

Sophie McCallum of the RSPB said: “It may be cold outside and we’re all winding down at the end of the year but winter is a busy time in the bird world.  Lots of birds are arriving in the UK and adding to the variety of wildlife on our reserves.”

 

RSPB Pulborough Brooks is just one of the places you can see some of our winter visitors, and set in the heart of beautiful countryside, it makes a wonderful day out.

 

This weekend staff and volunteers will be on hand to show visitors the thousands of wintering ducks, geese, swans and waders as they dabble, dive and feed across the flooded brooks, before settling down to roost for the night. The ‘Winter Waterfowl Watch’ is taking place between 2 pm and 4.30 pm on Friday 18 – Sunday 20 December. There is no additional charge for the event, non-RSPB member visitors just need to pay the usual nature trail entry fee (£3.50 per adult, £1 per child) to see this amazing spectacle.

 

The Visitor Centre is open daily and people can get last minute Christmas gifts from the shop and enjoy a warming drink in the tearoom.

 

The reserve is located off the A283 between Pulborough and Storrington, for further information please contact the visitor centre on 01798 875851 or e-mail pulborough.brooks@rspb.org.uk

For further information and images please contact:

Sophie McCallum, South East media officer, t: 01273 763603, or Sam Stokes, Pulborough Brooks Visitor Officer, t: 01798 875851

 

The Visitor Centre at Pulborough Brooks, with licensed tearoom, gift shop, information area and toilets, is open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm, the nature trail from dawn until 9 pm (or until dusk if earlier). Parking and entry to visitor centre, picnic area and children’s playground is free.

 

Nature trail entry to RSPB members is free, non-members £3.50 adult, £2.50 concession, £1 child, £7 Family (2 adults and up to 4 children). Charges apply to most events.

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