RSPB Pulborough Brooks Reviews Summary

Wildlife Diversity and Viewing Opportunities

Pros:

• "Great range of species to spot, both resident and visiting."
• "Lots of warblers on my latest visit, but I always miss the Eagles!"
• "An amazing range of birds to be seen all year round including the awesome White Tailed Eagles!"
• "We saw adders, slow worms and a grass snake!!!"
• "From a white tailed Eagle to a goldcrest, we saw an excellent variety of bird life."
• "You should also keep your eyes to the ground because there are adders, stouts and deer roaming around too."
• "Birds all far away so not so good sightings but lovely view of 2 wheatear."
• "Fantastic reserve and lovely shop and cafe where the very friendly staff served up a delicious cappuccino and one of the tastiest cheese and onion panini's I have ever had!"

Cons:

• "Unfortunately, from experience winpenny hide can often be extremely busy."
• "A nice location and shop but the cafe is awful. Cycled here and no hot or savoury food and nothing for vegetarians or vegans."
• "Not a great deal to see actually, bird wise,, nettleys and jupps hide closed for repairs."
• "My first visit to Pulborough Brooks and I will definitely return. A beautiful place with amazing views. So lovely to see the wildlife."
• "The chances of seeing species you might not otherwise see is high."
• "As members of the RSPB we come down here every couple of months. Everyone is always friendly and welcoming."
• "Great place for birdwatching and learning about nature. Well equipped with bird drawings, well-maintained bird hide and lots of educational stations all over the place."
• "A very nice visitor centre and cafe are not enough to redeem the reserve. We have been several times and have rarely seen anything of interest."

Facilities and Accessibility

Pros:

• "Dog friendly, great paths and clear signs and directions, large carpark."
• "Good sized car park, lovely restaurant with seating inside and out, plus an extensive shop."
• "The walk around the reserve is roughly 3.5 k and most parts are accessible to all."
• "Really quite excellent. Very well run and lots of fascinating hides, walks, trails."
• "Very good cafe and lovely walks. Spent a lot of time around the pond watching the many coloured dragonflies."
• "Plenty of places to park close to the entrance and its wheelchair friendly."
• "Visitor booth in the car park are always friendly and welcoming and offering information on latest sightings."
• "A lovely reserve, good walks, well laid out, 30+ species of birds in a few hours, despite the time of year."

Cons:

• "Parking a bit confusing/ limited as so much reserved for coaches that didn't appear to exist/ using it."
• "The café is a very welcome break after a long walk. Excellent tea, sandwiches, cakes and baked potatoes!"
• "Unfortunately the female staff were quite blunt when we paid. Didn't feel welcome."
• "Be warned there is now a £3 parking charge. Exorbitant price for coffee that is not actually very good quality."
• "Sadly they are pricing the food Too high 40% increase a small bacon roll £5.75."
• "Great reserve with varied habitats support s good range of wild life especially migratory birds in the winter."
• "Even if you are not into Birds upperbarn still has something to off with their brilliant cafe."
• "Its certainly gone down hill...pay for parking...packet stuff everywhere disappointing for a 'charity' who says conservation a priority."

Staff and Volunteer Engagement

Pros:

• "Absolutely worth a visit, very friendly staff shop, toilet, children's play area."
• "The group was kept small, so disruption was minimised and there was a better chance of seeing animals."
• "We got to see some amazing birds, the nuthatch, a peregrine falcon, lapwings alongside some of the usual cheeky characters and even an adder."
• "The rest of the reserve is also a great place for walking and wildlife watching. The cafe has a spectacular view."
• "There's always a happy smile and greeting by the staff."
• "All staff members were extremely helpful and had a lot of information to hand."
• "Recently just joined the RSPB and found Pulborough Brooks for the first visit. A good easy to get round nature trail where you can take your time and let nature lead the way."
• "Staff helpful. Nice gift shop, great tea room. Fantastic walk around the brooks."

Cons:

• "Their toilets and a cafe in the visitor centre but no toilets once you have left."
• "A nice location and shop but the cafe is awful. Cycled here and no hot or savoury food and nothing for vegetarians or vegans."
• "Unfortunately the female staff were quite blunt when we paid. Didn't feel welcome."
• "We came home from Pulborough on New Year’s Day so disgusted we canceled our membership to RSPB."