Latest sightings
Merry Christmas
Well I am glad to say that water levels at Arundel have stayed at very low levels this Christmas, unlike the previous two winters!! This has meant that there is time to enjoy our winter visitors. Cold days provide the best chance of seeing the many Water
26 December 2014
Wildlife sightings
Currently a good mix of bird species out on the reserve but nothing in any high numbers as yet. Several Snipe from the Lapwing and Scrape hides with more probably hidden away. Water rail continue to show well from the Scrape hide and through the reedbed.
30 November 2014
Wildlife sightings
Continuing wet weather has created new feeding opportunities for increasing Snipe numbers. Around 40 were roosting and feeding in front of the Lapwing hide at the beginning of the week. Teal numbers are low with many dispersing throughout the valley and S
14 November 2014
Summer or Autumn?
Not only is the weather confusing the seasons but continued migration of summer visitors with some of our winter visitors mixed in has certainly got me confused! 150 House Martins and two flocks of Redwing totalling 120 were a case in point on Tuesday. A
17 October 2014
Wigeon now showing.
After seeing a pair of Wigoen on Friday, this morning there was an increase to 5. Whilst admiring there lovely chestnut plumage a male Kingfisher perched on some tall vegetation directly in front of the Ramsar hide, amazing. Two more were also seen on the
23 September 2014
Wildlife sightings
Amazing numbers of Sand martins still swarming around the sand martin hide and the scrape areas. There has been around two hundred at any one time with a sprinkling of around 100 House martins as well. Sightings of Sparrowhawk and Hobby attracted to fee
11 September 2014
Great white egret and swooping sand martins
A great white egret has been moving between the Scrape hide and Sand Martin/Ramsar hides since early Sunday afternoon. He has been getting really close to the Ramsar hide giving visitors displays of his fishing prowes. This morning he was joined by 2 grey
1 September 2014
More sand martins!
During the week numbers of Sand martins at any one time reached around 100 with lots of these perching right in front of the hide. House martins and Swallows were also mixed in with the flock. Other migrants were Common sandpipers, Sedge warbler and White
24 August 2014
Sand martin pit stop
Today brought around 40 Sand Martins outside the sand martin hide. A dozen at a time were perching just outside the viewing windows giving incredibly close encounters of these birds before they leave our shores for Africa. A mixture of adults and youngste
15 August 2014
Weather changes
After all the warm weather it felt more like early Autumn this morning. This was enhanced by the presence of at least a dozen Sand martins busily feeding over the water in front of the Sand Martin Hide, occasionally flying close to the nest bank. Sighting
10 August 2014
Little egrets
A pair of Little egrets today to the right of the Ramsar hide were busy preening each other before dispersing to fish alongside a Grey heron. Three Shoveler, several Teal and many Greylag and Canada geese were also present from the hide. A single Sand Mar
3 August 2014
Signs of Migration!
Swallow and martins have been increasing this week with over one hundred over the reedbed this morning. Several Sand martins have been spotted in amongst the flocks. Blackcap singing would also point to some of these warblers beginning their migration as
27 July 2014
Kingfisher regulars?
We could well be seeing a return of regular sightings of Kingfishers with one known sighting yesterday and two today. All these were seen in different parts of the reserve so could be seen anywhere from the ditches to wetlands discovery boat safari. Littl
13 July 2014
Tern around!
After the sad loss of the male Common tern, it was warming to see another pair briefly around the reserve at the beginning of the week roosting on the new island on Arun riverlife. Was it our female with a new mate or a different pair? Hopefully next year
22 June 2014
Sunshine and heat
The whole reserve is literally buzzing with life. Scores of Canada and greylag geese goslings, Mute swan cygnets, Mallard, Gadwall, Shelduck and Tufted duck ducklings and Black headed gull chicks abound. Swallows are feeding young at two nests in our h
13 June 2014