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| Mediterranean Gull Adult Winter (Library Picture) |
Prior to work we made the usual tour of the reserve and on the walk around to Wright Hide, feeling the wroth of a bitterly cold easterly wind, a Woodcock was in flight as we approached the Sheep Field gate and a lone Barnacle Goose was on Swallow Pool.
Having settled in the Wright Hide for some shelter and in the hope of something a little more unusual Jim came up trumps with an Adult Mediterranean Gull in amongst the flock. I've been at Brandon now for just over two years and for me this was a first for the site, in fact the first for Brandon for just short of 2 years (Feb 2009). Unfortunately, as soon as I'd made contact with the bird the flock was up and on it's way, but I did manage some excellent flight views as it made it's way out to the north.
Teal Pool Hide produced 2 Shelduck on River Pool and retiring to Big Hide for coffee a brief view of Bittern in flight on Newlands, the usual Goldeneye and a couple of Wigeon on the bank were the best I could muster. A brief visit to Carlton Hide produced my first Goldcrest of the year and 3 Bullfinch.
After the work party myself and Derek Bennett made a quick sortie to the Big Hide before leaving, picking up a 3rd Shelduck of the day (this mornings 2 were still on River Pool), a single Snipe, and in amongst the Greylag flock was Tuesdays Pink-footed Goose.
My birding day didn't end after leaving Brandon because as I passed through Marton Village on my way home a flock of around 20 or so Golden Plover passed overhead heading east!
