WWT Arundel

West Sussex > United Kingdom

A wetlands reserve with good facilities that has a mix of local birds in a natural habitat and also some captive ones. Run by the WWT. Admission prices apply.

Geplaatst* door Ray Pettit
Meest recente update 7 december 2022

Beschrijving

Wetland habitat in a valley on the fringes of this historic town. This reserve is managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust founded by Sir Peter Scott. Upon entering there is a refreshment area that looks out on to water mainly frequented by geese.. Towards the right there is a notice board indicating birds that may be present.

Let's take a circular tour by turning left from the visitor centre. After a few metres, by some distinctive buildings, it is possible to take an electric boat ride which bring you close to various ducks such as Wilde Eend, Krakeend, Tafeleend and Kuifeend. I've also seen IJsvogel and Kleine Karekiet from the boat here. I find this a very relaxing experience. The boat is extra and must be booked at the visitor centre.

Leaving the boat turn left at the nearby footpath junction. Passing mainly captive birds and after a short while you will see the 'Ramsar' hide to the right. From here you will often see Grauwe Gans, Wintertaling, Kievit and Wilde Eend but more importantly the sight of IJsvogel and Watersnip .

Contuning along the tarmac footpath and you will arrive at the 'Lapwing' hide. Yes, there are Kievit here too as well as Grauwe Gans and Slobeend.

You now need to return to the junction near the boat rides, but this time turn left. Adjacent to here are areas with captive waterbirds which I won't cover here but may be of interest to some people. At this point you should keep your eye out for Goudhaan and Vuurgoudhaan which are often seen flitting amongst the trees. Often seen around the trees to the left here, or around the garden. In the garden area I have also seen Staartmees, Merel and Taigaboomkruiper and a Rietgors nearby.

Turning left here you can visit the 'Sand Martin' hide where it is possible to see Grote Gele Kwikstaart at the water's edge and species such as Bergeend, Grauwe Gans, Grote Canadese Gans, Wilde Eend and perhaps Kleine Zilverreiger or Aalscholver.

Turning back, you can then visit the Scrape Hide very nearby. But immediately before that there is a patch of grass and is a favoured spot for Waterral. In the hide itself, it is usually a good idea to look right to see if there is warbler in the bushes.

Exiting the hide, turn left along the long straight path. I find the next hide , the 'Reedbed' hide a quiet one, but you never know! At the very end of the path turn left, but before doing so, check the small trees for Goudhaan and Vuurgoudhaan . Walk through the gates and you are in a zone mainly of captive birds but I have also seen the Waterral and Kleine Barmsijs here.

Beyond here you can access the Woodland Hide using two different routes. There are bird feeders here which attract the usual suspects such as Pimpelmees, Heggenmus and Roodborst but you might even see the Waterral or Sperwer here if you are lucky.

From here, follow the signs for the Reedbed Walk. I have seen a Zwartkop in this area. This will bring you back out on the long straight path. You can then make your way back to the visitor centre by turning left. As you approach the centre, there is another 'captive' area which in 2020 will have an aviary and some pelicans.

Details

Toegang

By car, you need to aim for Arundel town centre where the reserve is signposted at the roundabout immediately north of the river. You need to go along Mill Lane which is a cul-de-sac and not a through road.

You need to pass the area on the left with a small lake as this is completely different from the reserve. A bit further on the right you will see the entrance and car park. Lat and long is 50.863710 -0.551904 and the post code BN18 9PB

All of the reserve is good for wheelchairs as paths are tarmac or boardwalk.

The nearest bus serves Arundel town centre a mile away. Route 9 to Littlehampton is every hour - check the Stagecoach website for times. The train station is further out - another half-mile.

Terrein en leefgebied

Wetland , Verspreide bomen en struiken , Rietvelden

Omstandigheden

Vlak , Geen schaduw , Open landschap

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Telescoop meenemen?

Kan handig zijn

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Het hele jaar

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Winter , Lente

Route

Breed pad

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemakkelijk

Toegankelijk via

Te voet , Rolstoel

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Extra info

You can buy a hot meal here between 12 and 14.00 and the cafe is open until 17.00 (16.00 in winter). The reserve opens at 9.30 and closes at 17.30 (16.30 in winter).