As we move into the month of July it's looking as though this year will certainly have some good news for many species and in particular those affected by last years dreadful spring. For the first time at Brandon Marsh there is now clear evidence of nesting
Buzzards and thanks to Alan Boddington for showing me the location. As everyone is now aware
Barn Owls and
Kestrels have also done well on site and walking around the reserve today it's clear that many warblers are doing just as well.
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| Blackcap Juvenile - A couple of families seen around the reserve today! |
As I arrived at Brandon this morning a
Cuckoo was calling, quite a late bird for the reserve and
Grasshopper Warbler,
Chiffchaff,
Willow Warbler,
Blackcap,
Reed Warbler,
Sedge Warbler and the deafening song of several
Wrens were all in evidence, some of which are most probably looking for partners for second broods.
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| Reed Warbler Juvenile - yet another family of young warblers! |
Lots of Butterflies on the wing today in the warm sunshine with some huge counts of
Ringlet and
Meadow Brown along with smaller counts of
Comma,
Red Admiral,
Small Tortoiseshell and single sightings of
Small Heath,
Small Skipper,
Gatekeeper, Large White, Green-vein White and
Small Copper. The surprise of the day was a
Red-eared Terrapin on East Marsh Pool, another unwanted illegal release by some thoughtless individual.
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| Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Moth |
The marina has been playing host to a family of
Common Terns over the past fortnight and a
Lesser Whitethroat continues to patrol the grounds and can be heard singing from first light. In the surrounding fields both
Red-legged Partridge and the less common
Grey Partridge can be found and a
Skylark nest I've been monitoring on the meadow has successfully fledged five birds. The same meadow had at least a half dozen
Marbled White butterflies and several
Burnet Moths when I visited this afternoon. In the evenings the odd
Daubenton's Bat can be seen skimming the water and the eerie call of
a Barn Owl occasionally is a welcome sound.
