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1C Sunday 7th January 2018 ~ A couple of visits to Brandon Marsh thus far this year, Thursday 4th meeting up with the conservation team in the nature centre for a catch up and tea, before heading off out onto the reserve. With the paths flooded and the hides empty I decided to head across to the phase three area to check out the ongoing works, managing to inadvertently flush a
Jack Snipe feeding near one of the pools!
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| Shelduck ~ Teal Pool |
Today (Sunday) a crisp, frosty morning visit, the flooding receding sufficiently for a walk down to East Marsh Hide, via Horsetail Glade. On route, a
Grey Wagtail overhead, plus a small flock of
Siskin feeding in the alder,
Treecreeper, (4)
Lesser Redpoll and a single
Great Spotted Woodpecker before reaching the hides. Most of the activity was on the flooded River/Teal Pool and here, along with (22)
Teal, a
Shelduck and drake
Pochard.
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| Willow Tit |
Just prior to reaching the Carlton Hide I was alerted, via the calls, to a
Willow Tit feeding frantically near the bench. Even better, when I was chatting with John Walton at the screen area overlooking Newlands a
Merlin shot through low over the reedbed. From Ted Jury Hide I could only manage a male
Stonechat, more often a pair reported here currently and also during my visit a
Woodcock, this while checking out the conservation areas and sluices with Adrian Johnson from the conservation team! Also of note, circa (80)
Wigeon dropping on to East Marsh Pool mid-morning and a
Great White Egret, unfortunately, the latter shortly after I'd left!!
