Birdwatch

The wooded hanger above the Arundel Wetlands Centre is always an excellent place to see passing birds of prey.

The updraughts created by the steep slope provide excellent lift for soaring birds and it's too good an opportunity for them to pass.

As we enter spring, increasing sightings are being recorded, with the majority of them being sparrowhawk, buzzard and peregrine.

The peregrine pair are a particular favourite. They breed very locally and can be seen daily overhead or, more commonly, perched up in one of the trees.

In late summer, when they are teaching their youngsters to hunt, the whole family will perform noisy aerobatic displays.

Do look up when you next visit us as there are raptors frequently soaring over the hanger.

One way of ensuring you don't miss anything good is to watch our ducks and geese. If there is something potentially dangerous overhead they will keep a close eye on it, with head characteristically cocked to one side and an eye on the sky.

On most weekend and holiday days we will set up a telescope, manned by one of our guides, so that visitors can see these beautiful birds close up.

Obviously, we cannot guarantee when the peregrines will be there, but they will put in an appearance most days.

Many people have never seen one of these striking birds but fortunately, because of a reduction of persecution to protect game interests and the banning of certain agrochemicals, peregrine falcons are on the increase and at the Arundel Wetlands Centre we have the opportunity to watch them every day.

During the breeding season, peregrines can now also be seen at Chichester Cathedral and Sussex Heights in Brighton.

THis feature was first published in the West Sussex Gazette February 20. To see it first, buy the West Sussex Gazette on Wednesday this week.