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.
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♂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.
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♂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!