☁️18C to start then ⛈19C ~
Wind ↖SE@4mph Thursday 13th August 2020 ~ Our second Thursday back at Brandon Marsh for the BMVCT since being allowed to return to volunteering by the Trust. Thankfully after the resent oppressive heat it was much cooler today and we managed to complete the priority clearance of all paths, finishing off with the centre track through the top reedbeds, just before the heavens opened.
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| A Brandon Marsh 1st when this Cattle Egret was found in amongst six Little Egrets. |
Before work, a pleasant surprise for us early arrivals when a
Cattle Egret, a species long overdue at Brandon was discovered on Teal Pool. A first for the site but unfortunately not twitchable due to the reserve still being closed to the general public. In any case, the bird only hung around for a half-hour, heading off to the west.
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| Note to self: When checking Egrets don't assume they're all Little! ~ We may well have missed the Cattle Egret today if I hadn't noticed the size difference and checked the bill! |
Due to the adverse weather an early finish which gave a few of us the opportunity for some extended birding. Heading off to the John Walton hide for lunch and to seek shelter from the torrential downpour and the odd flash of lightning.
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One of six Little Egrets from today, another reserve record!
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Also of note today:
Snipe, (4)
Green Sandpiper,
Common Sandpiper, (8)
Common Tern,
Hobby,
Peregrine,
Ad. Yellow-legged Gull and a small passage of
Swallows during the downpour.
