Saturday, April 30, 2016

Diary Update #1 Birding Spain

We finally arrived in our villa near Albucies, Catalonia mid afternoon after a painless flight from Birmingham airport, that's UK not Alabama!! Unfortunately this was followed but an absolute nightmare with Avis car rental at Barcelona airport. Without going into the finer details ninety minutes to get the keys was a disgrace and despite an upgrade never again!

Cracking views but I'm not sure a swim is in order!
Anyway here we are and after a torrential downpour this afternoon with temperatures struggling into double figures, we're all stocked up on food and drink, log fire burning and ready for the next couple of weeks. The weather is thankfully set to improve from here on so bring on the birding.

Our home for the next fortnight!
Managed to do a little exploring late afternoon around the villa grounds and it would seem that Cirl Buntings are plentiful in the area, constantly calling and showing occasionally. Every so often 10/20 Common Swift will fly through the valley and Common Crossbill can be heard in the nearby conifers. A couple of distant unidentified large raptors circling over the mountains, plus Serin, Nuthatch, Cuckoo calling, Chaffinch and Firecrest, even a fly by Turtle Dove is a nice start to the holiday.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Diary Update #40

A bit of a fragmented week birding wise, with not as much time as normal spent out in the field. On Tuesday an early visit to Napton Reservoir produced my first local Whinchat of the year, along with Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, (3) Sedge Warbler, at least (3) Lesser Whitethroat, White Wagtail and single Snipe.

Sedge Warbler - Napton Reservoir
Later on in the morning a visit to Brandon Marsh, mostly searching around the peripheral of the reserve. Nothing new of note but the little time I spent in the hides produced: (2) Common Terns, (2) Common Sandpiper, (3) Little-ringed Plover, White Wagtail, (4) Oystercatcher and (3) Redshank.

Blackcap - Napton Reservoir
Today at Brandon Marsh my first Hobby of the year flew through the 'Tip' area while a few of us were bashing some invasive birch! A couple of Cuckoo calling and a Mistle Thrush singing for most of the morning produced the quintessential British countryside, a sound to behold. All we needed was some summer sunshine, not a freezing cold northerly!!

Brandon Marsh 2015 Report Available NOW!
I can finally reveal that the Brandon Marsh Report 2015 is out from the printers and something that Jim Rushforth and I can be proud of as editors. Available from the Brandon Volunteers or at the Nature Centre, priced at £6 this year, which is in fact cost price!

Monday, April 25, 2016

Diary Update #39

A quick diary update after my trip to Summer Leys this morning.

A couple of Yellow Wagtails at Napton Reservoir this afternoon!
Stopped off at Napton Reservoir on route home for a brief visit in between the showers. Here a couple of Yellow Wagtails, Common Sandpiper and Lesser Whitethroat. The first singing Lesser Whitethroat at the marina this morning as I set off!

Summer Leys NR

I decided to begin the new birding week with a visit to summer Leys NR in Northamptonshire. Strangely enough only a 35 mile drive from the marina but a reserve I've never visited before!

Summer Leys NR, Northamptonshire
I arrived shortly after 9 O'clock and having just missed a heavy downpour I decided to begin my visit in the comfort of the Pioneer Hide. On approach the noise from the Black-headed Gull population told me straight away that this was a nesting colony and so it turned out! Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin low over the pools but it wasn't long before I picked up a Wood Sandpiper over on the wader scrape. A couple of Whimbrel next, which were across on the grassland over towards the disused railway line. Two year ticks already, followed almost immediately by a third, when a Greenshank was noted asleep, once again on the far side. At least a half dozen Common Tern, single Oystercatcher, two Redshank and three Little-ringed Plover before moving on. My fourth year first happened almost immediately upon leaving the hide, when four Swift flew overhead, a great start to my visit.

Sedge Warbler - Very few photos opportunities during my visit!
Moving on I took an anticlockwise route heading off towards the Paul Britten Hide. The thick hedgerow along the paths provide good habitat and by the time I'd arrived at the hide for a coffee, which offers an elevated view of the reserve, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Greenfinch had all been noted in song. From the hide a better view of the Wood Sandpiper but before I could get the customary record shot it took flight, almost a display flight actually, calling and dipping as it flew off! In fact I noted it several times more during the morning.

After leaving the hide I was extremely lucky as I emerged almost adjacent to a field which, according to a new report, had a Whinchat showing. Scanning the field in question, which I believe was on Mary's Lane, it wasn't long before I had decent scope views of the bird. Which was flying from posts onto higher fencing which overlooked a further pool, a fifth year tick! While here a ploughed area of the field held three stunning Yellowhammer, almost like canaries in the stark contrast of the dark soil. A little further on I paused for a time at the feeders and while here scoped the pools, recording a couple of late stayers, with both Wigeon and drake Goldeneye.

The remainder of the 2 mile circuit yielded of note: Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, (2) Buzzard, (2) Green Woodpecker, (3) Sedge Warbler, (2) Cetti's Warbler and several more Swift and Common Tern. An excellent reserve and one which I will certainly visit more often!

Friday, April 22, 2016

Diary Update #38

A story of Wagtails a Napton Reservoir this morning with Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail all recorded. Lots of Hirundines over the water with at least 30+ House Martins among the many Swallow and Sand Martins. Lesser Whitethroat singing from the sheep field hawthorn and a brace of Sedge Warbler in the reed bed.

Grey Wagtail at Napton Reservoir
Brandon Marsh next and here yesterdays Wood Warbler was still on site, singing and showing occasionally in Horsetail Glade. The pools were generally quiet with (4) Oystercatcher, (4) Redshank, (2) Little-ringed Plover and (2) Common Terns the best of note. Brief visits to Ted Jury and Carlton Hide produced Cuckoo & Willow Tit, with the remainder of the reserve yielding the usual Warblers, this time with the addition of (2) Common Whitethroats and (2) Reed Warblers, which are now arriving but it would seem not in any great numbers.

Yellow Wagtail at Napton Reservoir
An attempt at connecting with a reported ♀Redstart on the 'Tip' area in the afternoon proved fruitless, but did throw up a rather interesting warbler, watched for a short period and which brought up visions of a Dusky Warbler, but I'm not for one minute suggesting it was!!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Purple Patch

A real contrast to my birding day! Firstly, with a rather quiet visit to Napton Reservoir, best here a Lesser Whitethroat and at least three Sedge Warbler in the reed bed, then all hell breaks loose over lunch at Brandon Marsh!

Record shot of Wood Warbler at Brandon Marsh - Courtesy of Dave Mount
After my usual circular route of the top reed beds at Brandon, Common Whitethroat best on offer here, I thought I'd have my picnic lunch in the relative quiet of Horsetail Glade. Here I met up with Martin Durkin for a while and it was as Martin was leaving we both thought we heard Wood Warbler. It wasn't long before we located a stunning bird flitting around near the bench, the gorgeous bright yellow upper and white underparts the giveaway. We needn't have worried to much about ID as the bird soon began singing.

My record shot of Firecrest at Brandon Marsh today!
A few phone calls later we were joined by Alan Boddington, who amazingly (or jamily) dropped right onto a Firecrest while trying to relocate the Wood Warbler, which had gone AWOL for a short while. Cracking purple patch and indeed find by Alan, both birds thankfully enjoyed by most, although the Firecrest didn't hang around for too long!

**As I type this blog entry three Oystercatcher just flew through the marina, coincidentally just tweeted by Draycote birding, who is obviously visiting the nearby Napton Reservoir at this time!

Wood Warbler - Courtesy of Martin Durkin

Firecrest - Courtesy of Martin Durkin

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Diary Update #37

A pretty quiet day at the usual haunts by comparison! I began at Napton Reservoir but no sign of the recent Redstarts during my visit. A Sedge Warbler was singing in the reedbeds and a Lesser Whitethroat over on the sheep field but they were the only species of note other than the now established Warblers.

One of the many Jays at Brandon Marsh
Next Brandon Marsh and despite trolling most of the reserve over a few hours the only new addition to my Brandon list was a Common Tern. Cuckoo heard and a Lesser Whitethroat was singing near the Sheepfield gate, the lack of Common Whitethroat on the reserve, normally well established by now, is a worry! What did save the day were the butterflies, with several on the wing in the relatively warm conditions. However, you had to find the sheltered areas, with the persistent easterlies dropping the temperature and blowing directly into East Marsh Hide.

Large White in Horsetail Glade
Species recorded: (2) Orange Tip, (1) Large White, (6) Small Tortoiseshell, (4) Brimstone and (5) Peacock.

A stop at Stockton Cutting on route home in search of more butterflies was a little disappointing, with the cold easterly whistling right through the cutting. Best I managed were a couple of Brimstone.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Brandon-Awayday!

Took fourteen of the Brandon Marsh Team on another away-day to the Lincolnshire coast in the Wildlife Trusts minibus today, with stops at Gibraltar Point NNR and RSPB Frampton Marsh.

The day didn't start well as when we arrived at Peterborough services for the now traditional McDonalds breakfast, we were horrified to find that the unit was closed for refurbishment! Notwithstanding the breakfast bar close by did serve a very tasty egg, sausage and bacon bap!

Little Egret - Only a few photo opportunities today!
To be honest Gibraltar Point was equally as disappointing with little on offer and the highlights here while sea watching at Mill Hill were a small group of Common Scoter, (2) Gannets offshore, Curlew, Brent Geese and (2) Tern Sp. which were too far out for positive ID. The shoreline was also strangely devoid and here Little-ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and lots of Seals on a distant sandbank. The lagoons and freshwater marsh areas were quiet with only a single Sedge Warbler heard but a Peregrine over and a Weasel at the Mere Hide brightened things.

♂Wheatear at Frampton Marsh
Most of the activity was on the Croftmarsh with two groups of Avocet, at least six distant Pink-footed Geese, Little Egret and several Curlew. Heading back to the centre a stop at the Plantation produced, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Siskin, Mistle Thrush and a single Brambling.

Spotted Redshank - One of three at Frampton Marsh
RSPB Frampton Marsh never disappoints and here we spent the remainder of the day in overcast but pleasant conditions. Although the water was extremely high good numbers of waders could be found and some of the highlights were undoubtedly birds heading into breeding plumage, with 3 Spotted Redshank in various colours, one almost entirely black. Ruff looked resplendent, males almost in their breeding plumage and even many of the 1000s of Black-headed Gulls looked pristine. Highlights for me other than previously mentioned included ♂Wheatear, ♂Marsh Harrier, Garganey and Arctic Tern, with several heading through. A full personal list of sighting are below.

Species Seen:

Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Garganey, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Scoter, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Little-ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit Curlew, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied/White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Robin, Wheatear, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (H), Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow,
Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Reed Bunting

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Diary Update #36

A nice stroll with Dee around Napton Reservoir and the locks this afternoon in lovely sunshine.

White Wagtail at Napton Reservoir
Managed to connect with the stunning ♂Common Redstart, found by Richard Mays this morning, which was very flighty near the small open barn as you go through the first gate on the sheep field. No sign of the female Redstart, also seen this morning but to be honest we didn't really do it justice! Also while there a single White Wagtail and Lesser Whitethroat.

Just as we were heading back to the marina news came through of another ♂Common Redstart, this time on the 'Tip' area at Brandon Marsh and found by Paul Cashmore! Now how did I miss that one this morning!

Diary Update #35

An absolutely glorious, crisp and frosty start to the day with -3 showing on the dashboard as I left for Brandon Marsh.

Hide and seek with a Common Whitethroat
On arrival I took a circular walk over Farm Pool and Top Reedbed, recording my first Common Whitethroat of the year on the 'Tip' area. I paused for a while trying to photo the little fella, only managing a record shot but while here a Cuckoo began calling close by. It turned out to be a bird, according to my records, that has visited over the previous three years and has a distinct call. It has a Cuck but little ooo!

Short-eared Owl over Sheepfield this morning!
Around at the Sheepfield gate I paused for a little while to listen for Warblers when a Short-eared Owl, being mobbed by several Corvids, dropped down. The bird offered excellent views, quartering briefly before moving higher and heading off over East Marsh Pool. A Lesser Whitethroat too while here, with three in total during my visit.

Short-eared Owl
As I approached the Baldwin Hide a call alerted me to a Curlew, which I was convinced had dropped onto East Marsh Pool! No sign from the hide but when I moved around to East Marsh Hide the word was I'd missed four birds, which didn't drop in but continued over heading east. An enjoyable visit with other species of note: Black-tailed Godwit, (4) Redshank, (2) Common Sandpiper, (4) Oystercatcher and a Muntjac Deer on Wigeon Bank. The usual Warblers in song, including at least (3) Cetti's Warbler.


Saturday, April 16, 2016

Diary Update #34

A later start at Brandon Marsh, once again in the rain but my timing was perfect. As I approached East Marsh Hide a Cuckoo flew through and a Red Kite was circling overhead the pools in among a group of mixed Gulls. Managed a few record shots of the Kite before the bird drifted off towards Coventry airport.

Record shot of Red Kite over East Marsh Pool
A single drake Wigeon on East Marsh Pool was a late record and the Black-tailed Godwit was in his usual position, asleep on Willow Island. A walk along to the Ted Jury Hide produced two Raven and a Common Sandpiper, which immediately departed after I managed a few snaps, a Cuckoo was calling off towards the golf course during my stay.

Common Sandpiper at Ted Jury Hide
A stop off at Carlton hide on route back produced two Common Sandpipers, likely the one at Ted Jury Hide plus an addition.

The briefest glimpse of Lesser Whitethroat near 'Olive Bench'
Tracking back to the centre I decided to walk back past Wright Hide and 'Olive Bench' as the sun was breaking through and here managed to locate a reported Lesser Whitethroat, which was singing well and offered the smallest opportunity of a record shot! Also of note the now established Warblers, Waders and Hirundines including (2) Little-ringed Plover and a Little Egret on Teal Pool

Friday, April 15, 2016

Diary Update #33

I absolutely love Brandon Marsh in the rain! Not a soul to be found, only the ardent regulars. The morning actually started off pretty quiet and a circular walk around Farm Field and Top Reedbed produced little of note, save for the now established Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap. A singing Mistle Thrush, which has actually been doing his level best to attract a mate for over two weeks now was unfortunately still on territory.

One of two Cuckoo's at Brandon Marsh today!
The strangest of occurrences as I walked through New Hare Covert, when I clearly heard a Tawny Owl call, not once but twice, no sign after a little investigation. As I emerged past the golf course my first Cuckoo of the year could be heard and indeed seen at distance atop the owl box tree on Alban's Reedbed. A brace of Sedge Warblers in the reeds and the dozen or so Lesser Redpoll, which have been feeding in the large alders by 'Olive Bench', were still there.

When I reached East Marsh Hide it wasn't long before I registered Common Sandpiper (year 1st), which Alan Boddington had forewarned me about via text message, Yellow Wagtail, Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin. Also of note while here: (5) Redshank and (4) Oystercatcher.

Black-tailed Godwit still feeding well on Teal Pool
While taking a better look at the Cuckoo from the Ted Jury Hide, which was still perched up, a second bird suddenly appeared and immediately took offence! With both singing what ensued was a real battle for territory, with both birds going at it hammer and tongue and feathers flying! A sight I've never witnessed before but a real treat. A single Snipe fly-by while this was going on, plus an addition of Little Egret on Teal pool while heading back to the centre ended a very enjoyable mornings birding.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Diary Update #32

Nothing to add to the year list at Brandon Marsh today but a Marsh Tit on the 'Tip' area and at least six Sedge Warblers singing around the reedbeds. While working briefly on Alban's reedbed mid morning a Reed Warbler was also noted in song.

Another exceptional year so far for Blackcap
On the pools a ♀Goosander dropped in for a short while but I was elsewhere on the reserve and missed this one! No sign of the long staying Pintail pair but the Black-tailed Godwit remains. Another Dunlin today (different bird to Tuesdays) and a single Ringed Plover on East Marsh Pool was remarkably a Brandon year first for me, this along with two Little-ringed Plovers. Also of note (5) Redshank, (2) Snipe and (5) Oystercatcher.

Another obliging Blackcap
The Brandon website reports Cuckoo and Whinchat for Wednesday but neither were seen by any of the Brandon Team today. Lots of Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff to be found and in the late afternoon a walk around the River Meadow produced a number of butterflies on the wing and these included: (2) Brimstone (3) Small Tortoiseshell, (3) Peacock and my first Small White of the year!

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Diary Update #31

A very quiet days birding, the highlight of which was a Lesser Whitethroat at Napton Reservoir just before 7am. I first sighted the bird at the top of the hawthorn hedge in the field adjacent to the south of the reservoir, before it began singing within the same hedge. Also of note were a single Little Egret over, 20+ Swallows and a brief song of Sedge Warbler from within the reed bed.

Dunlin at Brandon Marsh today!
Brandon was the quietest I've had for a while, here the pair of Pintail remain on East Marsh Pool and the Black-tailed Godwit was also in residence. No sign of yesterdays Little Gulls but an addition was a single Dunlin, which spent time on Lapwing Island. Reports of an Osprey from the Ted Jury Hide late this evening are interesting and it could well spend the night before moving on, we shall see! 

Monday, April 11, 2016

Diary Update #30

The county of Warwickshire, naturally land locked and probably as far from the coast as you can get is renown for difficult birding and as birders of the county we sure do have to work hard to find the spoils.

Little Gulls galore! This one at Brandon Marsh
However, we do occasionally get days when we're rewarded for our efforts and today was one of those, well for me anyway. A real influx overnight throughout my local patch of Little Gulls! I'm not in fact a real gull enthusiast but when you get to see these dainty 'little gulls', in fact the smallest in the world, you can't help but admire them as they grace the water displaying their dark underwings and pinkish flush. In fact a small number of birds observed today were almost in full summer plumage, a real treat.

First stop was Draycote Water and here I managed to count fifteen birds as I observed from the 'Sailing Club'. Also within were my first Common Terns of the year, with three birds also in the mix.

Little Gull - Record image of one of six at Brandon Marsh today!
After enjoying the spectacle at Draycote Water I headed off to Brandon Marsh for the late morning, where more Little Gulls could be found, a total of six here at one time observed from the Wright Hide.

Yet more Little Gulls - This one over the water at Napton Reservoir!
Finally a stop off at Napton Reservoir prior to returning to the marina and yes, more Little Gulls! This time two birds feeding over the water, with a single Common Tern for company.


Muntjac on Wigeon Bank
There are other observations to add from today at Brandon Marsh and in the warm conditions during the morning a small selection of butterflies on the wing with: (9) Brimstone, (2) Comma, (1) Small Tortoiseshell and (2) Peacock. Other birds of note recorded during my stay included: (1) Green Sandpiper, (5) Redshank, (4) Snipe, (2) Little-ringed Plover, (4) Oystercatcher, (1) Sedge Warbler, (3) Shelduck and (2) Raven over. The Black-tailed Godwit and Pintail pair remain. A male Muntjac Deer also made an appearance on Wigeon Bank, feeding briefly before heading off!


Sunday, April 10, 2016

Diary Update #29

The weekend was spent as is the norm at this time of year searching for more spring arrivals. Things are definitely beginning to move through now at a little more pace and Brandon Marsh on Saturday morning produced my first Reed Warbler of the year, when one was singing in the reedbed at 'Alban's Bench'.

My first brief view of Sedge Warbler for 2015!
Prior to this a Sedge Warbler was also showing well, albeit briefly, as I emerged from New Hare Covert and I even managed to produce a photo of the 'blurred kind' before it fell silent. Possibly the same bird was singing later in the morning, this time from 'Olive Bench'. Also of note during Saturday's visit: (2) Little-ringed Plovers on Willow Island, East marsh Pool, 1stS Mediterranean Gull and Black-tailed Godwit still!

Record shot of Ring Ouzel at Burbage Leicestershire!
Today (Sunday) I began with an early start, meeting up with Geoff Hood at his house in Burbage, Leicestershire, where just a short distance away a couple of Ring Ouzels were showing well in a horse field. On arrival a short 20 minute wait in frosty conditions produced one of the birds, which offered good scope views and even the opportunity of a record shot as it appeared from the scrub! A couple of Redwing feeding in the same area gave me a nice April record too!

Linnet - Singing across Alban's Reedbed
Brandon Marsh later in the morning produced a dozen Lesser Redpoll near 'Olive Bench', where a Sedge Warbler (possibly yesterday's bird) was singing well. The pools had the now established summer visitors, including (2) Little Egret and the bonus of a Yellow Wagtail and even a Peacock butterfly. From the comfort of East Marsh Hide, Water Rail, Sedge Warbler singing briefly to the right, Willow Tit heard and Cetti's Warbler. The Black-tailed Godwit remains and also worth a mention, my first female Blackcap was noted in New Hare Covert. Home now for a well earned nap!


Friday, April 08, 2016

Diary Update #28

A morning strimming at Brandon Marsh Thursday produced my first Sedge Warbler of the year! The bird was singing well, pool side, near the large oak tree at River Pool path as a few of the team headed out to work. Also of note a 1stS Mediterranean Gull remained on East Marsh Pool among the Black-headed Gulls well into the early afternoon. Three Little-ringed Plover were also noted on Willow Island but unfortunately I was back at the Nature Centre by then.

Yellow Wagtail in the rain - One of only two noted today!
Today I had an enjoyable, if not a little wet visit to Draycote Water in the company of Bob Hazell. The predicted showers turned out to be very prolonged in little wind. In fact it didn't even dampen the fly's spirits, with millions around the perimeter today, great food source for the birds, but not pleasant while birding.

Blackcap - This one sporting a funky hairdo!
My first Yellow Wagtail of the year shortly after setting off along Farborough Bank, along with at least a dozen Meadow Pipit and similar amounts of Pied Wagtail. The Great Northern Diver was off Farborough Spit and by the time we reached Toft, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and at least four Blackcaps were recorded, all in song.

Slavonian Grebe off 'Duns Bay' but at distance!
The Slavonian Grebe was a little distant off 'Dunns Bay' but a record shot and decent scoped views of its improving plumage. By the time we arrived at the Valve Tower the rain had increased somewhat but this had brought down hundreds of Hirundines out towards the centre, obviously taking full advantage of the 'Fly-fest'.

My attempt at the ♂Wheatear - A little easier with Canon SX
A Little Egret in the settling pool and a very mobile ♂Wheatear along Draycote Bank, which caused a few issues, particularly for Bob, who was #allofatiz trying to Digi scope in the now challenging conditions! Having said that, his recently tweeted picture turned out well @bobhazell

Also of note during an excellent visit: (6) Goldeneye off 'The Inlet' and circa 20 Tree Sparrows near the feeders.

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Diary Update #27

After my weekend break it's been back to Brandon Marsh in search of new arrivals but unfortunately things are still a little on the slow side, despite some decent southerlies! That said there have definitely been more Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers arriving and my first singing Blackcap here was recorded in New Hare Covert on Monday morning. Sand Martins are busy taking nesting materials into the nesting structure but Swallow and House Martin numbers still remain low.

Black-tailed Godwit on Teal Pool Monday morning!
A second Black-tailed Godwit in as many weeks arrived Monday morning and remained on the reserve, alternating between Teal Pool and East Marsh Pool, today.

Lesser Redpoll
On Monday at least a half dozen Lesser Redpoll were feeding in the alder near the 'Olive Bench' the one photographed above looking superb as summer plumage develops. Siskin can also still be found around the reserve but I've not managed either Redwing or Fieldfare since the turn of the month.

A rare glimpse of Cetti's Warbler from the East Marsh Hide
Also of note over the last few days besides the now established visitors: Red-legged Partridge and Roe Deer around the Farm Pool area, Green Sandpiper from the Ted Jury Hide, (2) Little Egrets on River Pool today and a pair of Pintail remain!

One of many Chiffchaff at Brandon today!

Sunday, April 03, 2016

Diary Update #26

An interesting few days at Brandon Marsh since my last post on Wednesday! To begin with my first Willow Warbler of the year on Thursday morning, an Osprey flypast seen by a lucky few (not me, although I was on the reserve) on Friday and this followed by an interesting Buzzard sighting from the Ted Jury hide, with the jury (forgive the pun) still out on whether or not it was a juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard.

♂Garganey at Paxton Pits - Another year first!
So to the weekend and for me a few days away, thanks to Dee, to celebrate my birthday. A visit to Bletchley Park on the Saturday morning, a very interesting experience, followed by a few hours at RSPB Sandy in the late afternoon. My first visit here, the highlights of which were a couple of Red Kite, Raven, lots of Siskin and (8) Common Buzzards overhead! A few Butterflies on the wing with Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone. Dee enjoyed searching the ponds near the main offices and managed Great-crested Newt and several Water Snail.

♂Garganey at Paxton Pits
Today (Sunday) after a late breakfast a visit to Paxton Pits. Naturally too early for Nightingale's, which are a speciality here, but a pleasant few hours, even though I hate birding on a Sunday! We were lucky enough to come across a pair of Garganey, literally only out of the reedbed for minutes before disappearing back and shortly after my first singing Blackcap's of the year, with two in Rory's Wood! Other highlights included female Muntjac and no less the (10) Commons Buzzards overhead while we were enjoying an ice-cream at the centre!