Latest sightings

Oystercatchers nest on Arun Riverlife

Oystercatchers nest on Arun Riverlife

An oystercatcher pair are nesting on the gravel island directly opposite the viewing windows of the Water's Edge Cafe. Wildlife notes: A lone sand martin spent a few hours Sunday morning checking out the nesting holes

7 May 2018

Bat survey proves Nathusius'pipistrelles onsite

Bat survey proves Nathusius'pipistrelles onsite

A soprano pipistrelle and a Nathusius'pipistrelle from Thursday's harp trap. Photo: Paul Stevens Martyn Cook from Sussex Bat Group putting up the Harp Trap last Thursday evening.

30 April 2018

Bounty of butterflies, flowers & songbirds

Bounty of butterflies, flowers & songbirds

Female brimstone butterfly just laid a small green egg on buckthorn, their food plant.  Photo: Paul Stevens A week of warmer weather has brought out more butterflies, bees and blooms around the wetlands. Breeding Bir

23 April 2018

Warblers bring life to the reedbeds

Warblers bring life to the reedbeds

Lapwing on nest from the Lapwing hide     Photo: Andy Burns Monday morning sightings Arun Riverlife Lagoon: 4 pairs Med gulls mating and nesting Black headed gulls Singing chiff chaff A pair of lapwing   Tra

16 April 2018

Reed buntings, sedge warblers & Cetti's warblers

Reed buntings, sedge warblers & Cetti's warblers

Chiff chaff in the catkins     Photo: Romney Turner Summary: Good numbers of gadwall, tufted duck on the water and a few teal & shoveler. Pairs of lapwings nesting on wet grasslands. Two pairs of oystercatcher

9 April 2018

Nesting lapwing pair a sign of Spring

Nesting lapwing pair a sign of Spring

Lapwing in flight over wet grassland at Lapwing hide. By Ken Turner Recent sightings On Wetlands Discovery Barn Owl in large owl box on pole in Wetland Discovery (6.30 am) Fewer owl pellets in the hides Kingfisher Wa

27 March 2018

A snow-stalled spring is back in full swing

A snow-stalled spring is back in full swing

  Long tailed tit with nesting material by Romney Turner Long-tailed tit nest under construction, made from moss and spiderwebs covered in lichen.   Last weeks snow fall slo

22 March 2018

Cacophony of spring singing

Cacophony of spring singing

Long tailed tit hangs around for handy seed snack. Photo: Romney Turner   Recent Sightings Sunday Buzzards displaying on Offham Hangar: they fly high then fold wings and plummet then fly up again. The male chased

12 March 2018

Singing, displaying & nest scraping start

Singing, displaying & nest scraping start

Treecreeper sightings have increased in the wooded areas. Photo: Romney Turner March 1, 2018 The lapwing males are doing display flights over the Wet Grasslands area. Three sets of lapwing pairs seen on the wet grassl

6 March 2018

Dunlin drops in

Dunlin drops in

Dunlin dropped into Arundel Wetland Centre on Thurs 1 March. The cold weather brought a Dunlin to Arundel Wetland Centre. It was feeding right in front of the gallery windows. The dunlin is an unusual visitor to Arund

2 March 2018

Big freeze hits the Arun Valley

Big freeze hits the Arun Valley

Despite cold temps teal and other ducks are pairing up for spring   Snow clouds over Arundel Wetland Centre Recent highlights: Increase in shoveler onsite as Arun Valley fre

26 February 2018

Great crested grebe & toad migration

Great crested grebe & toad migration

Great crested grebe on Arun Riverlife lagoon since last Saturday On Monday and Tuesday evening the warm and damp weather started the annual mass migration of toads to breeding ponds. Reserve Manager Paul Stevens and t

22 February 2018

Lapwings arriving to stake nesting territory

Lapwings arriving to stake nesting territory

Snipe in late afternoon at Ramsar hide by Romney Turner Lapwing flocks in the Arun Valley are breaking up and these waders are heading off for their nesting grounds, like the wet grasslands at Arundel Wetland Centre.

5 February 2018

Great egret, hawfinches and 18 lapwing

Great egret, hawfinches and 18 lapwing

Male bullfinch by Jamie MacCallum shot Saturday morning during Golden Hour Early Opening event Highlights: Wednesday roost - 17 little egrets came into roost between 4.15 5pm near Ramsar hide along with 2 grey herons

29 January 2018

Great egret, whistling wigeon & a sparrowhawk close encounter

Great egret, whistling wigeon & a sparrowhawk close encounter

Fabulous firecrest causing excitment around the reserve. Pic from Romney Turner Wildlife Sightings blog by Paul Stevens, Reserve Manager at Arundl Wetland Centre Last Sunday’s bright sunshine had robins, tits and mi

15 January 2018