Monday, March 24, 2014

Migration Update#2

A really frosty start at the Marina this morning with the on-board weather station showing a chilly -3.5C. A stroll around the Marina grounds produced (2) Yellowhammer and (2) Skylark in song and the first singing Chiffchaff near the dog walking paddock. At least eight Pied Wagtail were on site but unfortunately not a white one among them.

One of two Avocet in the harsh morning sun!
Although the winds are currently in completely the wrong direction, with such a clear night I had high hopes of my first Willow Warbler or Swallow at Brandon Marsh this morning. What I actually got was a real surprise thanks to JR, when two Avocet were busy feeding on East Marsh Pool. After changing my route it wasn't long before I settled at Wright Hide for a few record shots. In fact the birds were still on site at one o'clock when I departed and amazingly had been displaying on several occasions, at one point they even looked to be nest building!

Another record shot of this mornings Avocets.
No further additions to the weekends arrivals but (32) Fieldfare were recorded over Willow Wood and other notables included: (3) Lesser Redpoll, (4) Chiffchaff, (2) Blackcap, (5) Sand Martin, (4) Goldcrest, (2) Linnet and a very credible (8) Common Buzzard enjoying the morning thermals!

Brimstone butterfly enjoying the heat of the sun.
A few butterflies on the wing with (2) Small Tortoiseshell and a single Brimstone, plus my first record of Frogspawn on the reserve thanks to MD.