A very bumpy night aboard with storm Katie moving through during the course. The storm was still rattling past when I arrived at Brandon Marsh early doors and with rain still falling a decent number of Hirundines over East Marsh Pool with circa (30)
Sand Martin, (3)
Swallow and (2)
House Martin in the mix.
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| Jays can be found everywhere around the reserve currently! |
No additions to the year list but a
Peregrine over East Marsh Pool was my second of the year here. A
Willow Tit calling from behind the East Marsh Hide continues my run of at least one heard or seen on every visit, well the last six anyway. Can't get over the shear amount of
Jays around too, with over a dozen during my stay today!
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| Grey Heron sheltering on Swallow Pool |
A walk around the pools and reedbeds after things began to brighten up, mainly to listen out for warblers found a few hardy species taking shelter. Despite the continuing strong breeze
Chiffchaffs were quite vocal, along with at least (3)
Cetti's Warbler and a couple of
Goldcrest. A few
Water Rails calling deep in cover and in some areas the Marsh Marigold is now in flower. Talking of plants, over on the 'Tip' area the first Cowslips are flowering, although looking a bit the worse for wear in the conditions.
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| Almost a year to the day a Wheatear on the doggie meadow! |
The marina is always a good place to start when looking for arriving migrants and almost a year to the day a
Wheatear on the doggie meadow was a nice surprise. Dee and I had an evening walk around Draycote Water, not primarily for the birding but we managed the
♀Scaup,
Kingfisher, (4) singing
Chiffchaff, (5)
Swallow, (7)
Sand Martin and a
♀Muntjac Deer at 'Biggin', no sign of this mornings reported
Garganey!
