Sunday, January 10, 2016

Diary Entry #2

An early Raven cronking away overhead and both Venus and Saturn adorning the eastern sky as I stepped foot off the boat this morning.

I arrived at Brandon Marsh just as the sun breached the horizon and made my way straight to East Marsh Hide, Grey Wagtail on the cement works roof on route. At the hide I spent an enjoyable 90 minutes before heading off to the Nature Centre for the Conservation Team AGM. The reserve was flooded out during my visit on Friday but it always amazes me how quickly the River Avon recedes.

At the hide I was made aware immediately that the Bittern was lurking in the reed bed to the right and it wasn't long before it betrayed it's whereabouts. First the twitching reeds and then obscured views of the bird through the reeds near the waters edge, amazing camouflage but once your aware easily picked out! Also of note during my stay (2) ♂ Bullfinch worth a mention plus (2) Pochard,(3) Little Egret and single ♀Goosander at East Marsh. A pair of Goosander on Grebe Pool as I made my way back to the centre!

A walk around the marina this evening at dusk had circa 20 Pied Wagtails in the roost, Little Owl calling but way off and a group of Fieldfare beautifully silhouetted in the Oak tree before heading away to roost.