Wednesday, May 01, 2019

πŸ“– #21/2019 ~ May-Day Wyre Forest

☁️🌧13C Wednesday 1st May 2019 ~ Despite the weather forecast predicting the odd shower and mostly cloudy skies I met up with a few of the Brandon Marsh regulars at the Dowles Brook carpark, Wyre Forest at 06:30hrs. The target birds for the day included Wood Warbler, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Dipper and Pied Flycatcher.

Today's Route ~ Clockwise
Previous visits, to be fair mostly in early June, have yielded both Pearl-bordered and Small Pearl-boarded Fritillary butterflies but with today's conditions, I wasn't surprised that we didn't manage any early specimens!

Wood Warbler

Another Wood Warbler ~ One of at least eight today
It was hard going to begin with heading clockwise from the car park along the disused railway line, with just a hand full of singing Wood Warblers. However, by the time we'd completed the circular route, heading back to the carpark along Dowles Brook we'd all managed the remainder of the target birds for the day with the exception of Pied Flycatcher.

Tree Pipit

Tree Pipit Parachuting
Unfortunately, these appeared thin on the ground with only Alan Boddington and I managing the briefest views of male and female birds in separate locations. Willow Warblers appeared in good numbers, along with Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and three Garden Warblers. Treecreeper, two Buzzards and Grey Wagtail also noted.

Dipper along Dowles Brook
A Dipper gave exceptional views along the brook and a number of Tree Pipits were both singing and parachuting, fascinating to watch. Just a single Redstart was observed, despite hearing three birds in song during our stay, a male high in the canopy, well caught on camera by Alan.

First Drake Garganey of the year ~ Brandon Marsh
After a late lunch, we headed back to Brandon Marsh for a cracking drake Garganey which showed well on East Marsh pool. Also present was a Ringed Plover, remarkably the first recorded at Brandon this year!

Record shot of Redstart, Wyre Forest ~ Courtesy Alan Boddington
Thanks to Alan Boddington, John Raven and Geoff Hood for the excellent company.