♂Garganey - Sadly Never Came Too close! |
However, on arrival JR alerted me to a ♂Common Redstart on the tip area and so I decided to divert straight there. Despite a good search for it, and as it happens a Pied Flycatcher seen earlier, I sadly drew a blank on both.
Notwithstanding, after connecting with the Garganey on East Marsh Pool I returned to the 'Tip' area and after a further ninety painstaking minutes finally got my reward when I spotted a ♂Redstart opposite the transect area, nowhere near the area I'd originally been looking!
Common Whitethroat - Brandon 2012 |
New Hare Covert produced two pair of Blackcap, Nuthatch, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and as I emerged near the golf course my second Whitethroat, when one was singing within the bramble. Shortly after my first House Martin of the year when one came over Swallow Pool. A Barnacle Goose on the golf course along with (2) Oystercatcher and the now established Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Swallow and Sand Martins before a stop at Wright Hide.
The path from Wright Hide through to the Saga sign still holds good numbers of Lesser Redpoll, with (12) feeding on the ground and high in the Alder, a single Siskin was also within the group.
Fox on Wigeon Bank |
Carlton Hide and the screen area produced little but the bonus for me were the several Frogs languishing in the water in front of the hide. Also found today during my reserve tour were a couple of Toads and a small portion of Frogspawn, very encouraging indeed!
Another new arrival today was a single Sedge Warbler, which after a tip off from John Walton we found singing in the reeds just behind the tool store.
Only a few Butterflies out today in the slightly chillier wind: (2) Comma, (4) Peacock and (2) Brimstone.