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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.
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| 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!
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| Wood Warbler |
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| 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.
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| Tree Pipit |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| Record shot of Redstart, Wyre Forest ~ Courtesy Alan Boddington |
Thanks to Alan Boddington, John Raven and Geoff Hood for the excellent company.
