Saturday, March 26, 2016

Diary Update #23

Thursday was spent with a group of Brandon Marsh volunteers clearing the Island (Walton Island) to the left of Baldwin Hide of winter growth! Still a little more to do with several bags of gravel required to finish, but we'll complete the job Tuesday morning!

Increased viewing opportunities from the River Pool Hide!
A second group made an excellent job of clearing in front of River Pool Hide to improve viewing opportunities. Work has also been carried out on increasing the flow of water returning to the River Avon after recent and future flooding. A Fox on Wigeon Bank before starting work and although Wednesday's Godwit was around early doors, no sign after lunch. My first Swallow of the year on Thursday too, when after work we spent a little time in Baldwin Hide before heading off.

Todays Visit (Saturday) began with a walk around Farm Pool/Top Reedbeds and here birds of note included (12) Fieldfare, (2) Buzzard and Raven over, Goldcrest along the Farm Track and (8) Reed Bunting around the reedbeds.

Little Egret - Through the gloom in his usual spot on River Pool!
On route to the hides a Muntjac Deer in Horsetail Glade and a Willow Tit calling by the River Pool track. Teal Pool held a single Green Sandpiper, (5) Snipe and a couple of Redshank, (5) of the latter in all for the day. (1♂ + 2) Pintail remain on East Marsh Pool and my first House Martin came through during a rain shower, which nearly all managed to connect with! This has to be the first time since joining the Brandon Team in 2008 that I've managed Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin before the end of March.

Total counts today which include the above:

Swallow (3), Sand Martin (6), House Martin (1), Chiffchaff (3), Shelduck (2), Great Crested Grebe (5), Little Grebe (1), Redshank (5), Green Sandpiper (1), Snipe (5), Oystercatcher (5), Little Egret (1), Pintail  (1♂ + 2), Cetti's Warbler (3), Willow Tit (2 heard), Bullfinch (2♂), Siskin (20+), Redwing (15), Fieldfare (12), Raven (1), Buzzard (3), Muntjac Deer (1)