Sunday, April 30, 2017

Diary Update #27 2017

 Saturday 29th April 2017 ~

Wood Sandpiper ~ Fred Stokes
Nothing new at Brandon Marsh this morning, that is until I decided to go walk about from East Marsh Hide!

A phone call from Fred Stokes had me scurrying back a short time later but alas it was too late for the bird of the day: A Wood Sandpiper, which unfortunately didn't hang around long enough for me 😡



  Sunday 30th April 2017 ~ Dee fancied a day out and decided that I should perhaps take her to Summer Leys Nature Reserve, a reserve she'd not visited before! Well of course I couldn't refuse, having had a good day there on Friday.

Whimbrel ~ Two of three seen today!
First stop on arrival was the Pioneer Hide and it wasn't long before a single Black Tern was found, most likely the same bird as Friday's. Lots of Common Terns but not an Arctic to be found among them today. A Cuckoo was calling at distance while here. We ventured around to the Paul Britten Hide and just as were about to enter the call of Whimbrel alerted us to three birds in flight, two of which dropped down just in front of the viewing screen!

Two Greenshank on the West Bank
A search of the fields on the opposite side of the road failed to produce a reported Whinchat, but the blustery conditions likely didn't help! While searching here the first of two Hobby's for the visit.

Possibly the third Whimbrel of the day!
After investigating Wollaston Lock on the River Nene we made our way back around to the car park along the disused railway line. A few stops on route to check out the banks produced two Greenshank, single Whimbrel, Little-ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Redshank! Three Lesser Whitethroat today along with two Garden Warbler various numbers of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Blackcap to add to the many Hirundines!

Dee practicing flight shots on the Lumix FZ1000 ~ Kestrel

Lovely Brimstone photo from Dee today!