Winter finally arrived last week with a light flurry of snow on Tuesday plus a few frosty mornings. Daytime temperatures struggled to get above 5C until a warmer period Thursday/Friday sent the temperatures up into double digits, it's blowing a hoolie today Sunday!
 |
| Tree Sparrow |
Several visits to Brandon Marsh over the period with a snap decision to go and see the
Great Grey Shrike at Hanging Houghton with Theo de Clermont on Wednesday 23rd. The Shrike remained elusive during a mid-morning session but a large flock of mixed
Skylarks/Buntings, plus a few
Red Kites kept the interest going. A
Brambling at the barn on the way out was a bonus but we didn't manage to connect with the reported
Corn Buntings or single
Lapland Bunting.
 |
| Tree Sparrow at Pitsford Reservoir feeders |
We did eventually connect with the distant Shrike later in the day after a return visit via Pitsford Reservoir, where I wanted to catch up with the
Tree Sparrows on the feeders. Also of note during our brief stay sixteen
Red-crested Pochards but no sign of the long staying
Ring-necked duck!
 |
| Long staying Whooper Swans at Brandon Marsh |
 |
| Bittern Brandon Marsh ~ Saturday 26th |
The main highlights from the Brandon visits included the long staying, although sometimes absent, pair of Whooper Swans, 5 Shelduck (Saturday) a Peregrine and two Bitterns on Friday 25th, plus stunning views as one of the Bitterns flew directly out in front of East Marsh Hide. Also of note over the week 10 Golden Plover to the east on Saturday but didn't drop in, plus a single Ruff this morning Sunday, although I personally missed that one.
Images Of The Week....
 |
| An elusive Cetti's Warbler ~ Brandon Marsh |
 |
| Bittern ~ East Marsh Hide, Brandon Marsh |
