Latest sightings
Owl chicks & toadlets
Two barn owl chicks from WWT Arundel nest box found by licensed handler Stuart Card. Stuart Card, Countryside Warden for Horsham County Council to Arundel Wetland Centre was onsite last Thursday evening to check our o
30 July 2018
Butterflies out in force this week
Common Blue in the Butterfly Garden near the lapwing hide. Nature Notes with Reserve Manager Paul Stevens Summer hatching butterflies are out on force – we are seeing lots of peacocks, red admirals and brimstones on
16 July 2018
First emerald damselfly recorded onsite
Emerald damselfly on Wetlands Discovery by Paul Stevens Nature Notes by Paul Stevens, Reserve Manager Bat survey last week – we didn’t get many bats. The hot weather is great for insects so the bats are well fed a
9 July 2018
More club tailed dragonflies & a bounty of butterflies
Great crested grebe on Arun Riverlife lagoon. Pic Andy Burns. Nature Notes by Paul Stevens, Arundel Wetland Centre Reserve Manager Boat driver Alex spotted another club-tailed dragonfly, this one a bright green male.
2 July 2018
Reedbed hide reopens, partial closing of Scrape hide for nesting swallows
Four beaks visible in the swallow nest in the Scrape hide. Thanks for your understanding as we had to close off that section of the hide. Nature Notes by Reserve Manager Paul Stevens Staff members saw barn owl at 7 pm
25 June 2018
Toadlets emerge & club-tailed dragonfly spotted
Toadlets emerged from the ponds to leave the reserve in the damp of Thursday morning Sightings week of June 11-17 Monday 11 June Sand Martin hide: Male pintail ducks, tufted duck and gadwall. Tues 12 June Arun Riverli
18 June 2018
Major haul on Moth Morning
Casing from a newly emerged southern hawker dragonfly found at the raised pond. Nature notes with Reserve Manager Paul Stevens: Raised Pond has burgundy flowers of spiked water milfoil breaking the water’s surface.
12 June 2018
Oystercatchers nesting again
Oystercatchers are nesting in the Tundra exhibit and are trying again at the Sand Martin hide Nature notes with Reserve Manager Paul Stevens: A pair of oystercatchers at Sand Martin hide, on the gravel island to the l
4 June 2018
Kingfisher sightings increase
Black-headed gull chicks have hatched out on the gravel island of Arun Riverlife lagoon. Kingfisher sightings are on the increase again, partuicularly at the Scrape hide and on Wetlands Discovery boat safari. Pochard
21 May 2018
Lapwing chicks hatch out
One of the three lapwing chicks recently hatched out opposite the Ramsar hide. Nature notes with Reserve Manager Paul Stevens: Sunny weather with a bit of rain has spurred on the spring wild flowers. Yellow flag iris
14 May 2018
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
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
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
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
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