Despite receiving a very early text message regarding a
Black-tailed Godwit at Brandon Marsh I decided to catch up on some well needed sleep. This resulted in a later start today beginning at Napton Reservoir, where the recent dry spell has allowed the water level to drop back slightly from its winter high. A very still calm day weather-wise and immediately on arrival the call of
Redshank put me onto a single bird along the north bank. An
Oystercatcher next, with another single bird heading off towards Napton and while following this in the bins a
Snipe flashed through my field of view! At least two
Little Grebes calling in the reedbeds, along with a
Skylark in full song and a single drake
Pochard on the water. Finally a
Raven over, along with two
Kestrels, plus a calling
Golden Plover in one of the nearby fields, which I never quite managed to connect with before heading off.
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| Delighted when the Black-tailed Godwit appeared directly in front of East Marsh Hide |
The
Black-tailed Godwit was still at Brandon Marsh when I arrived mid morning so I headed off to the hide, where on arrival I'd missed a
Little-ringed Plover by minutes. With lunch on hand I spent an enjoyable few hours here and had unusually good views of t
wo Cetti's Warbler, with several
Sand Martin's passing through during my stay. I'd finally caught site of a
Little-ringed Plover dropping down onto Tern Island when, having been driven off several times by
Lapwings, the Godwit suddenly dropped down right in front of the hide! By the time I'd filled my boots with the Canon SX50 I failed to relocate the Plover, so I can only claim the most briefest of views!
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| Black-tailed Godwit - Great looking bird! |
Other species of note: (1
♂ + 2♀)
Pintail, (4)
Oystercatcher,
(2♂ + 2♀) Pochard , (4)
Great Crested Grebe, (3)
Redshank, (4)
Snipe and (16)
Wigeon.
