It's been a while since I updated so I thought for continuity purposes I'd do more of a pictorial to keep the posts live. To be honest after the mayhem of the recent Grey Phalarope at Brandon Marsh things have settled into a normal summer schedule for me. Boat chores, butterflies, dragonfly's etc. That said most of the action has in fact taken place north of the county, where a Melodious Warbler is singing and showing well. Some excellent photos to be found on social media.
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| Turtle Dove - Wonderful to catch up with a couple of these gorgeous birds on my travels! |
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| Four-spotted Chaser on one of the dipping ponds at Brandon! |
I've stayed local, along with visits to Brandon Marsh and across county into Oxfordshire. The dragonfly list is ever growing, now that we're getting some decent sunny periods and includes: Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser, Brown Hawker and a stunning Emperor at Brandon Marsh today!
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| Painted Lady at Brandon Marsh - Turning out to be a decent year for these migrants. |
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| Scorpion Fly - Another easily found photographic opportunity at Brandon |
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| A busy Reed Bunting on the marina top field. |
The marina is also a great place to be in the summer with nesting birds such as
Reed Buntings,
Reed Warbler,
Sedge Warbler,
Common Whitethroat,
Robin and for the third year in a row
Lesser Whitethroat. Other regulars here include
Mute Swans, which have produced five cygnets this time around and other species like
Coot and
Moorhen have both fledged young.
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| A juvenile Robin - Another successful breeder at the marina. |
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| Lots of Bee-Orchids and Common Spotted Orchids currently around Brandon. |
