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| Corn Bunting - A good local find |
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| Chiffchaff - In the process of displaying! |
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| Speckled Wood - My year first looking quite pristine! |
1st Cruise and Busy Brandon!
Our first outing for 2014 and a cruise and overnight stop on the Grand Union Canal, meeting up with our old neighbors NB-Enigma near bridge 101.
The cruise down on Saturday afternoon was a chilly one, with a biting north-westerly, the birding highlights were several Yellowhammer along the tow-path and good numbers of Linnet on and around the fields. However, the star turn was snapped by Dee as we cruised by bridge 103 and our first patch Corn Bunting for a few years. A better day on the cruise back Sunday with lots of Orange-tip butterfly on the wing in the warm sunshine and several Swallows perched on the phone wires at Flecknoe were nice to see.
A visit to Brandon Marsh (Monday) before the predicted hoards arrived after lunch and a quick tour away from the pools found a few more Common Whitethroats and Willow Warblers around, plus a half dozen Linnet and the usual Chiffchaff and Blackcaps, but no surprises.
East Marsh Pool had a single Avocet once more, (2) House Martin, Snipe, (3) Little-Ringed Plover, joined later in the morning by a single Ringed Plover. A Stoat made a brief appearance while in East Marsh Hide and my first Speckled Wood butterfly near the Carlton Hide, along with several Orange-tip, Peacock and Comma.
Just prior to leaving around noon a walk down to river meadow had a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker across on the peripheral of Willow Wood, ( thanks to the gent who tipped me off), which I connected with briefly before it flew east.
Saturday Update!
A look around the marina grounds for anything new before heading off to Brandon this morning had a single Raven over and the Pied Wagtail roost is now down to only a handful of birds, no surprises though!
A brief post regarding this mornings visit to Brandon Marsh as I'm just about to set off on a cruise down to Braunston and an overnight stay.
Strangely Brandon was remarkably quiet away from the pools compared to that of late but did produce my first Common Whitethroat of the year, when one was showing well by the large oak tree near the River Pool path. A brief appearance of a Yellow Wagtail on Willow Island mid-morning and a single House Martin was located in with the now established Sand Martins. Also of note a large fall of Swallows overnight with 20/30 feeding over East Marsh Pool. An albeit brief look for Lesser-spotted Woodpecker in Horsetail Glade prior to heading off drew a blank.
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| Sunrise this morning from the window using the Canon SX50 'Vivid Colour' setting! |
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| One of last years - Common Whitethroat |
Blackcaps Galore!
A slightly frosty and crystal clear start when leaving the marina today, with Venus now a morning planet and a Curlew calling way off in the distance. Could this be the bird I heard flying through on Monday night perhaps?
Martin had caught up with me by the time I reached the farm at Brandon Marsh and with at least six Blackcaps recorded singing by the time I reached the top reed bed, this has to be an unprecedented year for this species! Peter had already gone straight to East Marsh Pool upon his arrival and had called to inform us of our first Common Sandpiper of the year. Crossing the top reeds a Sedge Warbler was the only other bird of note and as we approached the locked gate the call of Lesser-spotted Woodpecker came through the morning air from over in Horsetail Glade.
By the time we'd got to the glade we'd been joined by Keven Groocock and Peter had also dropped around to meet up. It was no time at all before the bird was located and after a short while we left Kevin and headed off for a walk around to the Wright hide. I had high hopes for Common Whitethroat around Sheep-field this morning but it wasn't to be but Bullfinch, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and a surprise when a Common Buzzard was perched beneath one of the Owl boxes.
More Blackcaps, including my first female of the year before a brief stop at Wright Hide, where a couple of Little-ringed Plover were just departing Willow Island. From East Marsh Hide (5) Snipe, (2) Shelduck and the usual Oystercatchers and Redshanks, plus we finally connected with Pete's Common Sandpiper. Just prior to the guys departing for a spot of voluntary work a rather nice looking Black-tailed Godwit dropped in. No work for me today with business and boat chores to attend to so Martin and I nipped to Carlton Hide for a look before heading off.
The approach to the hide provided a frenzy of activity with at least two more ♀Blackcaps, obviously overnight arrivals, driving at least three males balmy, great fun to watch and reminded me of me youth!
A few butterflies enjoying the early warmth with Brimstone, Peacock and my first ♂Orange-tip of the year for Brandon.
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| Blackcaps - Unprecedented numbers at Brandon this year! |
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| Common Buzzard - Surprise find! |
More Blackcaps, including my first female of the year before a brief stop at Wright Hide, where a couple of Little-ringed Plover were just departing Willow Island. From East Marsh Hide (5) Snipe, (2) Shelduck and the usual Oystercatchers and Redshanks, plus we finally connected with Pete's Common Sandpiper. Just prior to the guys departing for a spot of voluntary work a rather nice looking Black-tailed Godwit dropped in. No work for me today with business and boat chores to attend to so Martin and I nipped to Carlton Hide for a look before heading off.
The approach to the hide provided a frenzy of activity with at least two more ♀Blackcaps, obviously overnight arrivals, driving at least three males balmy, great fun to watch and reminded me of me youth!
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| Orange-tip |
Enjoyable But Frustrating day!
A very wet and dismal Brandon Marsh Monday morning, only highlight being my first Brandon Yellow Wagtail of the year, when one dropped onto Willow Island briefly mid morning. However, the highlight of the day came at bedtime, as while poking my head out of the hatch for some fresh air a Curlew flew through in the darkness calling, can't remember when my last local one was!
An early start to the day at Brandon this morning (Tuesday) with the anticipation of more migrants dropping in after last nights cloudless skies. A swift circuit of the tip area yielded Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Swallow and several Chiffchaff, but no additions to the now established aforementioned. The walk through to Wright Hide had (4) Lesser Redpoll near the wind pump, Bullfinch, (2) Blackcap and Goldcrest in New Hare Covert.
It wasn't until we reached the Wright Hide that the first notable of the day appeared in the form of Avocet. This time only a single bird, a fortnight ago of course we had two birds on site, which delighted us for a few days, so lets hope this one hangs around for a while too.
An hour or so at East Marsh Hide had a couple of House Martin in among the numerous Sand Martins, sweeping low over the water on occasions and other notable's included: (3) Swallow, (4) Redshank, (4) Oystercatcher, (2) Little-ringed Plover, (3) Great-crested Grebe and the likely domestic Barnacle Goose.
The major highlight of the day came as Alban, Martin, Keith#2 and I entered Horsetail Glade, alerted first to the calls it wasn't long before we connected with a pair of Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers, my first on site for well over two years! The birds were performing very well for most of the morning and in fact were displaying on occasions. However, I left just after lunch feeling frustrated and bloody angry when some **** decided to use a bird call app to attract the birds down!!! In fact I thought I was remarkably well restrained.
Still annoyed a walk around Napton Reservoir to calm myself on route home produced several Swallow over the water and a couple of Meadow Pipit. Unfortunately I don't hold out much hope for any decent warblers currently as the water is so high it's only a few feet from the reed tops.
Subnote: PeterB also informed me that the Grasshopper Warbler was reeling once again (heard from the coach parking area) when he arrived at Brandon at around 6:15am!
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| Bird of the day - Lesser-spotted Woodpecker |
It wasn't until we reached the Wright Hide that the first notable of the day appeared in the form of Avocet. This time only a single bird, a fortnight ago of course we had two birds on site, which delighted us for a few days, so lets hope this one hangs around for a while too.
An hour or so at East Marsh Hide had a couple of House Martin in among the numerous Sand Martins, sweeping low over the water on occasions and other notable's included: (3) Swallow, (4) Redshank, (4) Oystercatcher, (2) Little-ringed Plover, (3) Great-crested Grebe and the likely domestic Barnacle Goose.
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| Lesser-spotted Woodpecker |
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| White Wagtail - In with roost at the Marina recently! |
Subnote: PeterB also informed me that the Grasshopper Warbler was reeling once again (heard from the coach parking area) when he arrived at Brandon at around 6:15am!
Norfolk Saturday
Spent the entire day around NWT Cley Marshes, Norfolk and then on to Salthouse for a look around Grambourgh Hill. This was our first visit since the devastating winter floods and I have to say that the reports I've read regarding the damage were not exaggerated. Flattened shingle, altered reed beds and whole areas of water taking on different shapes and sizes.
As with RSPB Titchwell yesterday we were greeted to some excellent aerobatics from the local Marsh Harrier population, scattering everything as they displayed. Continuing along the east bank past Arnold's Marsh and out towards the sea-shore was relatively quiet apart from the usual waders, but it was a good opportunity to take stock and see first hand the areas of flattened reed bed.
The shingle along the shoreline is now completely flat as you walk towards the beach car park but it still offers good views and we managed to settle for a half hours sea watch. Sandwich Terns were constantly moving through in three's and fours and a couple of Common Tern also passed us by. The sea was extremely quiet with only a single Cormorant to entertain us while tackling a rather large fish.
At the beach car park a couple of Wheatear were on the wet marsh but there was no sign of this mornings reported Black Redstart. The inner marsh held the usual excellent numbers of Avocet and some nice flocks of Black-tailed Godwit were to be found, some already showing signs of summer plumage. The walk back to the centre produced our one and only Swallow of the day.
Finally, before heading back to the hotel a coffee at Salthouse from 'the man in a van', who unfortunately has to park along the road now with the original car park under many tons of shingle! Gramborough Hill was awash with Meadow Pipit and where the edge of the hill has collapsed below, a few dozen Sand Martin were investigating. The mystery of the day was a short glimpse of a distant Pipit Sp. which I felt could well have been a Richards Pipit, strangely enough a report on birdguides a little later has a probable at Gramborough Hill. Some great views as I post of a Marsh Harrier from the hotel window out across the marsh, but sadly no Barn Owl as yet.
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| ♂Marsh Harrier over Cley marshes today. |
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| Sandwich Terns moving through in three's and fours. |
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| Black-tailed Godwit |
Finally, before heading back to the hotel a coffee at Salthouse from 'the man in a van', who unfortunately has to park along the road now with the original car park under many tons of shingle! Gramborough Hill was awash with Meadow Pipit and where the edge of the hill has collapsed below, a few dozen Sand Martin were investigating. The mystery of the day was a short glimpse of a distant Pipit Sp. which I felt could well have been a Richards Pipit, strangely enough a report on birdguides a little later has a probable at Gramborough Hill. Some great views as I post of a Marsh Harrier from the hotel window out across the marsh, but sadly no Barn Owl as yet.
Birthday Weekend
A stop off at Yaxley, near Peterborough Thursday evening on route to Norfolk for the weekend gave us the opportunity this morning to have a look at the Baikal Teal currently residing at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes.
We arrived mid-morning in quite murky conditions and after what seemed an eternity finally reached Moor Lake. Indeed the bird was showing extremely well even from the guided bus lane, an amazing piece of technology which allows buses to zoom at god knows what speed past you with the driver sitting arms folded!! After first contact with the bird we took a walk down to the hide for a closer look. It was actually no closer but we enjoyed a half hour in which time Dee came up with one of her classics, 'Ooh! there's yellow bird on the Island', turns out our first Yellow Wagtail of the year. Well done that girl! Also present Little-ringed Plover and plenty of Redshank, singing Blackcaps seemed everywhere and a couple of Red-legged Partridge as we drove out of the reserve.
On to RSPB Titchwell for an afternoon session and firstly a walk down to the beach where there were literally racks of Scoter offshore. We did manage to pick out a couple of Velvet Scoter in the murk and the usual waders were to be had along the shoreline: Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Turnstone and Dunlin.
The highlights during the walk back along the footpath, with a brief stop at the Parrinder Hide included: Little Egret, Brent Geese, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Ruff and Little Gull on and around the pools. Marsh Harriers were quite a feature today, at one time witnessing a 'food-pass' and the Bearded Tit were pinging away but unfortunately very illusive.
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| Baikal Teal record shot - A UK lifer for me! |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit in the murk! |
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| Grey Plover - A very grey day weatherwise! |
Works Thursday
Arrived at Brandon Marsh early doors for a good look around the reserve with some of the guys before joining the conservation team a little later in the morning.
New Hare Covert had the now regular singing Blackcaps and as we emerged near the golf course we were greeted to well over a hundred or so Sand Martin on what looked like a feeding frenzy. The Wright Hide had good numbers of them feeding low over the water and almost immediately my first Swallow of the year skimmed past.
At East Marsh Hide during coffee two more Swallow were recorded, a distant Willow Warbler singing and before long a couple of Ringed Plover dropped onto Willow Island. Also recorded: Wigeon pair, (2) Green Sandpiper, (2) Redshank and (2) Oystercatcher along with a single Shelduck and quite a nice looking drake Pochard. Chiffchaffs were everywhere this morning and significantly lots seem already paired up.
After retrieving my camera trap, which unfortunately only recorded Mallard, Moorhen and Mute Swan I joined one of the works parties extracting invasive birch from the top reedbed. It was here during a coffee break when the real surprise of the day occurred, when suddenly a Grasshopper Warbler began reeling only 100ft or so from us, extremely early record for Brandon. During work a Meadow Pipit also flew over in the direction of the Nature Centre.
Off to Norfolk this afternoon for my weekend birthday treat so naturally Brandon should have a few good rarities around, so eyes peeled for more Sandwich Terns! Well done to the lucky few who spotted those two beauties.
New Hare Covert had the now regular singing Blackcaps and as we emerged near the golf course we were greeted to well over a hundred or so Sand Martin on what looked like a feeding frenzy. The Wright Hide had good numbers of them feeding low over the water and almost immediately my first Swallow of the year skimmed past.
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| No camera today - So thought I'd drop in last years favourite Willow Warbler shot! |
After retrieving my camera trap, which unfortunately only recorded Mallard, Moorhen and Mute Swan I joined one of the works parties extracting invasive birch from the top reedbed. It was here during a coffee break when the real surprise of the day occurred, when suddenly a Grasshopper Warbler began reeling only 100ft or so from us, extremely early record for Brandon. During work a Meadow Pipit also flew over in the direction of the Nature Centre.
Off to Norfolk this afternoon for my weekend birthday treat so naturally Brandon should have a few good rarities around, so eyes peeled for more Sandwich Terns! Well done to the lucky few who spotted those two beauties.
Brandon Tuesday
My usual Tuesday visit to Brandon Marsh produced no new overnight arrivals but after a gloomy start a gorgeous afternoon ensued. A Green Sandpiper and a couple of Little-ringed Plover arrived on East Marsh Pool late morning and other highlights included three Mallard ducklings to the rear of Goose Pool, plus a couple of Water Rail which were showing really well from the Carlton Hide.
In the warm sunshine a number of butterflies took to the wing and these included: Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock and two years firsts with ♀Orange Tip and Green-vein White. At west marsh Kingfisher Pool had plenty of frogspawn and a ♂Great-crested Newt.
In the warm sunshine a number of butterflies took to the wing and these included: Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock and two years firsts with ♀Orange Tip and Green-vein White. At west marsh Kingfisher Pool had plenty of frogspawn and a ♂Great-crested Newt.
Brandon Report 2013
I'm happy to announce that the Brandon Marsh 2013 report is out now and available from the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, priced at only £5.
Well done to Jeff Rankin for his excellent cover photograph chosen by the editors Jim Rushforth, Alban Wincott and myself.
This is the 40th report that has been published by the Brandon Marsh Voluntary Conservation Team (or it's predecessors) since the early 1950's.
Playing catch-up!
With family commitments keeping me up in the north-west for the weekend my birding exploits over the period have been non existent. Fortunately, the chaps at Brandon have kept me abreast of the situation and of course the inevitable happened when I received a text on Sunday morning, 'Osprey over East Marsh Pool', many thanks to FS for keeping me up to speed!
Notwithstanding I arrived at Brandon Marsh at first light this morning, a little later than normal thanks to the onset of 'British Summer Time'. With the present airflow over the UK my hopes were for a few new arrivals dropping in and I began with a circuit of the 'Tip' area, Farm Field and Top Reedbed.
A couple of Blackcap were happily singing away when I reached John's allotment and as I turned along the bund towards the old farm buildings the song of my first Willow Warbler of the year. A single Redwing, becoming few and far between now, Skylark, (2) Linnet and (2) Chifchaff, plus signs of the many cherry trees beginning to take blossom along the Brandon Lane boundary. As I turned to cross between the Farm and Top Pool reedbeds quite a scruffy looking Stonechat appeared on top of the protruding willow but my eye was then taken to a second bird low in the rose-hip. This turned out to be my second first of the year, a Sedge Warbler, a bird I normally hear first at this time of the year before actually connecting with.
From here, two Great-crested grebe on Grebe Pool and then a leisurely stroll down to the East Marsh Pool through New Hare Covert produced three more Blackcap, a definite influx since Friday and a second Willow Warbler to the rear of Wright Hide. A Little-ringed Plover was calling over the pool, occasionally settling on Willow island, but had moved on by the time I reached East Marsh Hide. Other notable's on the pool: (2) Great-crested Grebe, (4) Redshank, (4) Oystercatcher, (1) Shelduck, (2) Wigeon and (8) Snipe. After a trip to Carlton Pool, where I'm sad to say that the dreaded Crassula helmsii is making an unwelcome return, I settled back at East Marsh Hide.
The remainder of my stay in the hide had my first Stoat at Brandon for some time, when a cagey looking character came up to the left of the hide, posing briefly but sadly too fast for me to grab the camera. Also the encouraging sight of two Sand Martin taking nesting materials into one of our nesting structures. Before heading off, a nice chat with Mr Potter and a walk through Horsetail Glade which gave up two more singing Blackcap and a singing Goldcrest. Butterflies on the wing included (3) Small Tortoiseshell, (7) Peacock and a single Comma.
Finally back at the Marina a singing Willow Warbler and a hatrick of year firsts for the day, when a ♀Orange Tip butterfly graced the car park.
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| Willow Warbler - Another Amazing Journey! |
A couple of Blackcap were happily singing away when I reached John's allotment and as I turned along the bund towards the old farm buildings the song of my first Willow Warbler of the year. A single Redwing, becoming few and far between now, Skylark, (2) Linnet and (2) Chifchaff, plus signs of the many cherry trees beginning to take blossom along the Brandon Lane boundary. As I turned to cross between the Farm and Top Pool reedbeds quite a scruffy looking Stonechat appeared on top of the protruding willow but my eye was then taken to a second bird low in the rose-hip. This turned out to be my second first of the year, a Sedge Warbler, a bird I normally hear first at this time of the year before actually connecting with.
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| Blackcap - One of today's new arrivals? |
The remainder of my stay in the hide had my first Stoat at Brandon for some time, when a cagey looking character came up to the left of the hide, posing briefly but sadly too fast for me to grab the camera. Also the encouraging sight of two Sand Martin taking nesting materials into one of our nesting structures. Before heading off, a nice chat with Mr Potter and a walk through Horsetail Glade which gave up two more singing Blackcap and a singing Goldcrest. Butterflies on the wing included (3) Small Tortoiseshell, (7) Peacock and a single Comma.
Finally back at the Marina a singing Willow Warbler and a hatrick of year firsts for the day, when a ♀Orange Tip butterfly graced the car park.
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