Works Thursday

Arrived at Brandon Marsh early doors for a good look around the reserve with some of the guys before joining the conservation team a little later in the morning.

New Hare Covert had the now regular singing Blackcaps and as we emerged near the golf course we were greeted to well over a hundred or so Sand Martin on what looked like a feeding frenzy. The Wright Hide had good numbers of them feeding low over the water and almost immediately my first Swallow of the year skimmed past.

No camera today - So thought I'd drop in last years favourite Willow Warbler shot!

At East Marsh Hide during coffee two more Swallow were recorded, a distant Willow Warbler singing and before long a couple of Ringed Plover dropped onto Willow Island. Also recorded: Wigeon pair, (2) Green Sandpiper, (2) Redshank and  (2) Oystercatcher along with a single Shelduck and quite a nice looking drake Pochard. Chiffchaffs were everywhere this morning and significantly lots seem already paired up.

After retrieving my camera trap, which unfortunately only recorded Mallard, Moorhen and Mute Swan I joined one of the works parties extracting invasive birch from the top reedbed. It was here during a coffee break when the real surprise of the day occurred, when suddenly a Grasshopper Warbler began reeling only 100ft or so from us, extremely early record for Brandon. During work a Meadow Pipit also flew over in the direction of the Nature Centre.

Off to Norfolk this afternoon for my weekend birthday treat so naturally Brandon should have a few good rarities around, so eyes peeled for more Sandwich Terns! Well done to the lucky few who spotted those two beauties.