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!