📖 #28 ~ Away-Day!

🌞25C Wednesday 18th April 2018 ~ An excellent days birding a little further afield today with Alan Boddington and Theo de Clermont, visiting Paxton Pits, Cambridgeshire and Cavernham Heath, Suffolk. We even managed to get back to the home turf late afternoon, where an Osprey, which had been on site at Brandon Marsh since early morning was still fishing on River Pool!

Year-First Cuckoo at Paxton Pits

With an early start, we began the day at Paxton Pits, primarily for Nightingale! A little risky considering there had only been a couple of sightings thus far this year, but we deemed it worth a try. Sadly no sign in the usual territories during our stay, perhaps considering the late spring start the birds are delayed, but a year first Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat and an excellent count of ten Common Terns helped dampen the disappointment.

A further 45-minutes drive across counties into Suffolk we arrived at Cavernham Heath mid-morning, the temperature already in the low 20's and cloudless skies. Parking up at the small roadside car park opposite the woodland trail we had literally only walked 100 yards when across the fields opposite at least two Woodlark could be heard singing distantly. That unmistakable song, sometimes referred to as a 'whistling yodel'. We never quite managed to connect with the birds at this point but Grey Partridge was recorded onto the day-list.

Stone Curlew ~ Cavernham Heath

Continuing along the heathland trail more partridge, this time Red-legged and overhead Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Only 10-minutes walk and we were onto one of our target birds, Stone Curlew! Two birds, reasonably close in just beyond the heather and although good scoped views were obtained photography was a little more challenging, with a now present heat-haze. Interestingly enough by the time we reached the river at the top end of the heath, we still hadn't actually seen or heard any more Woodlarks! However, more additions to the day-list included Yellowhammer and Linnet.

Woodlark ~ Cavernham Heath

I'm a great believer in just taking time out and sometimes it's better to simply hold up and let the birds come to you! Deciding to settle for lunch overlooking the heath this was exactly the right tactic as after a short while two Woodlarks flew close in, one obligingly perching up on the fence post for photographs! Across the heath from our position two Wheatear and a flooded section towards the back held at least four Shelduck.

Osprey fishing on River Pool ~ Brandon Marsh

Heading back to the car park two Redshank overhead, a pair of Stonechat, plenty of Skylarks and a distant singing Tree Pipit, which was not seen. The job was done on the target species so we decided to high-tail it back to Brandon Marsh in the hope that the Osprey was still on site, thankfully it was!!
Oh, and a bonus year-tick on Teal Pool, Green Sandpiper!

📖 #27 ~ Redstart

☁️💨13C Tuesday 17th April 2018 ~Arriving at Brandon Marsh this morning I decided to begin with an anti-clockwise walk around the top reedbed, farm field and the 'Tip' area. A Sedge Warbler was singing happily on the farm reedbed as I passed through the centre and the usual selection of Reed Buntings were busy flitting back and forth.

Gorgeous Male Common Redstart ~ Farm Field

A few Swallows overhead in the stiff breeze and a Green Woodpecker noisily passed through. There appeared to be more Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff around this particular area today and by the time I began to check the Hawthorn along the reedbed perimeter on farm field I was into double figures, probably a 50/50 split. It was then a bird suddenly took the eye, unmistakable really as it flew up from the Hawthorn, red tail catching the light! It remained elusive for what seemed an age before finally showing, a gorgeous male Common Redstart!

While on the phone to various parties with the news the sound of a reeling Grasshopper Warbler carried in the wind and almost immediately after a Lesser Whitethroat could be heard singing over near the farm track. A good start to the day and thankfully those who arrived for the Redstart managed to view the bird before it eventually flew high to the East and out of sight!

Other highlights of a very productive visit: Usual selection of Hirundines and Warblers +Great Egret, (3) Little-ringed Plover, (2) Redshank, (4) Oystercatcher, (2) Snipe, and (2) Great Crested Grebe.

📖 #26 ~ Summer Leys

After two days onboard I was out and about on Friday morning, spending a few hours at Brandon Marsh. Nothing much had changed from my visit earlier in the week with no new summer arrivals, with the exception of two Yellow Wagtails, which flew straight through East marsh and a White Wagtail, which landed briefly on Willow Island!

Dazza's photo of Great Egret at Summer Leys

A short-lived change in the weather on Saturday gave Dazza and I the chance to visit Summer Leys Nature Reserve, on the Upper Nene Washes, one of her favourite walks and just a 40-minute drive. We did the full circle in the lovely spring sunshine, which brought out a half dozen Brimstone butterflies and a couple of Comma. The birding highlights included a Great Egret, which we spotted on the river near the fast running wier, a Red Kite over and a sleeping Common Scoter. Two Avocets also reported but we dipped on them!

In the late afternoon, a couple of Common Terns hung around the marina for a short while fishing, until finally heading off to the East just before sunset.

Whooper Swan ~ East Marsh Pool

I was out early this morning at Brandon Marsh! With southerlies and reasonably clear skies overnight I was hopeful that a few more migrants would have dropped in. Frankly, despite a definite fall of Sedge Warbler, six recorded singing around the reserve, the visit, in general, was disappointing. A Whooper Swan, most likely the same bird seen recently at Draycote Water and Wolston Gravel Works in the company of a small group of Mute Swans was on East Marsh Pool and remained until just after 9am.

Year 1st Sedge Warbler from East Marsh hide today!

Plenty of Sand Martins checking out the nesting structures, double-figure Swallows but no House Martins for me today! Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps all now seem well established throughout the reserve and Cetti's Warblers are becoming more daring, with four seen and calling. Waders included: (3) Little-ringed Plover, (4) Oystercatcher and (2) Redshank.

Bullfinch ~ Summer Leys

Redshank ~ During Friday's visit to Brandon Marsh

Little-ringed Plover ~ During Friday's visit to Brandon Marsh

📖 #25 ~ Onboard

☔️10C Thursday 12th April 2018 ~ Still feeling the effects of my recent Flu and some long birding days recently I've decided to stay onboard for a few days, skipping Brandon Marsh today, in an attempt to finally shake the bug. However, I did take a brief stroll around Napton Reservoir for some fresh air on Wednesday afternoon in what was once again very depressing conditions, drizzle, mist and low cloud!

One of two Yellow Wagtails ~ Napton Reservoir.

Even many of the 100s of Swallows on site decided to give up for the day, taking to the nearby trees for a spot of preening. This also included a few House and Sand Martins. The only brightness to an otherwise grey day was a couple of Yellow Wagtails and the only two birds in any mood for singing were a single Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

📖 #24 ~ Water Pipit

☔️10C Tuesday 10th April 2018 ~ A thoroughly depressing day weather wise with drizzle and a nagging easterly wind to contend with once again. Spring seems to take one step forward and three steps back at the moment!

Water Pipit ~ Thanks to Theo de Clermont (the finder) for this image! 

I began at Draycote Water for an elusive Water Pipit, which after following the bird along Farnborough Bank as far as the 'spit' I finally got a decent view of. Well, I say decent but it only lasted seconds as the bird suddenly took flight, heading off at height and then dropping back down onto the bank, almost landing on top of Bob Hazell's head who'd just arrived, or so it seemed! Still, no harm done as the bird was seen several times later in the day, once again by Theo, the finder. Just the one Yellow Wagtail during my stay but plenty of Hirundines over the water, three Goldeneye and a single Little Egret.

Treecreeper ~ Horsetail Glade, Brandon

When I arrived at Brandon Marsh it was as though someone had pressed the mute button! After a build-up of chorus over the previous week, there was little in the way of birdsong. However, by the time I left after lunch Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler, Nuthatch, Great Tit, Wren and even Treecreeper had all found thier voice. I also managed the complete set of winter visitors with Redwing, Fieldfare, Siskin and Lesser Redpoll all recorded.

No Terns on the pools today to cause confusion and waders were a little thin on the ground: (1) Little-ringed Plover, (4) Oystercatcher, (2) Redshank and Common Sandpiper. Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin were all recorded.

📖 #23 ~ Migration Update

☔️10C Monday 9th April 2018 ~ One of the many pleasures of living aboard a narrowboat, particularly at this time of year, is listening to the start of the dawn chorus from the comfort of your bed! However, this morning it was interrupted by the unmistakable call of a Whimbrel, which sent me scurrying to the hatch but sadly it had already continued on through.

I needed to be at the local garage for 8:30am for the wife's MOT so only had the briefest search of the adjacent fields for the earlier Whimbrel or indeed anything else of interest. The distant call of an Oystercatcher over towards Napton Reservoir, Yellowhammer and Chiffchaff birds of note.

After breakfast, I began at Napton Reservoir where I bumped into Peter Finden and then Richard Mays and Dave Cox, who I spent the next 45 minutes with. A single Shelduck, Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs, plus a Raven over harassing a Buzzard, a dozen or so Swallow and a couple of House Martins were the best on offer.

Record shot of my first Yellow Wagtail of the year! 

An influx of Yellow Wagtails at Draycote Water was my next stop, where I was onto my first of the year almost immediately along Farborough Bank. I didn't hang around for too long before heading off to Brandon Marsh where there was a possible Arctic Tern.

Arctic Tern ~ Brandon Marsh

Quite a tricky bird to ID this one (Common/Arctic) but after much deliberation by most of the Warwickshire birding community, all seemed to eventually agree on Arctic Tern!

📖 #22 ~ Spring Update

Since returning from Denmark and Sweden on Monday evening I've spent a very frustrating 3 days bedridden with probably the worst bought of flu I've ever had!

Blackcaps ~ Usual high numbers beginning to arrive at Brandon Marsh

Still not 100% I finally managed to drag myself out on Friday morning with a visit to Brandon Marsh. With spring migrants finally beginning to trickle through I had a little catching up to do. In fact, I'd only been on the reserve for several minutes when my first Blackcap of the year burst into song near the nature centre. By the time I'd settled into East Marsh hide, I'd also encountered a second year first, this one a Willow Warbler along the path at Goosetail, three more Blackcap, including a female, also recorded!

Little-ringed Plover ~ Regular breeders at Brandon Marsh

East Marsh pool, once again flooded out produced a very early Common Tern and waders included (2) Little-ringed Plover, (5) Oystercatcher and (2) Redshank. A few Hirundines during the morning, mostly Sand Martin but a couple of Swallows low over the water. Plenty of Buzzards enjoying the thermals and distant views of a single Red Kite, which never quite made it over the reserve. My first butterflies of the year too when things finally warmed up, (2) Comma and a single♀Brimstone, which flew through the car park as I was leaving!

Feeling pretty drained I was in two minds whether or not to venture across to Draycote Water for a reported group of Little Gulls. They were apparently showing near 'B' buoy, over near the inlet, a decent walk but I suppose it was too good to miss! I'm glad I did, my first House Martin of the year as I passed the Sailing Club and even better a lift back to the car park by Theo Clermont after enjoying views of the group of ten from Hensborough Bank. A bonus adult Meditteranean Gull too, found by Theo!

Two of a trio of Avocets ~ Brandon Marsh

1st Common Sandpiper of the year ~ Brandon Marsh

A few hours Saturday morning at Brandon yielded my first Brandon House Martins of the year but nothing new to be found in relation to arriving migrants. However, three Redwing and a group of five Lesser Redpoll shows our winter visitors are still holding on. Of course, having decided to have an extra hour in bed this morning (Sunday) you knew what was coming next. Three Avocets and the first Common Sandpiper on site but thankfully my late arrival didn't cost me.

📖 #21 ~ Easter Break!

Dee and I spent the Easter holiday visiting Denmark and Sweden, flying into Copenhagen on Wednesday afternoon for our 5-day break. For the duration, we decided to stay in Malmö, Sweden, our reasoning: Hotels in Malmö are half the price of Copenhagen and the rooms double the size!

The Øresund Bridge

However, to get to Malmö from Copenhagen by road you first have to cross the Øresund Straight via the rather expensive Øresund Bridge, around £45 each way! The bridge, completed in 2000 and the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe, runs nearly 5 miles from the Swedish coast to the artificial island of Peberholm in the middle of the strait and then a further 2.5 miles through Drogden Tunnel to the Danish island of Amager.

  **Be aware if visiting by road/rail! Sweden still operates a 'hard-border' and passports are required to enter!!

Primarily a sightseeing city break we naturally set aside some birding time and so on Good Friday took the two-hour drive north along the coast from Malmö to Getterönʼs nature reserve, situated a mile north of the centre of Varberg. Thanks to the mild climate and the proximity to the sea, many birds winter here. Heated water from Varberg’s sewage plant flows through the channel and out into the lagoon and contributes to keeping the ice away, even during severe winters.

Whooper Swan ~ constant movement at Getterön

Having been blasted for our first few days with 25 mph winds, in unseasonal temperatures of -8C windchill and persistent snow showers, today was glorious, with clear blue skies and a balmy +3C. The drive North produced a number of Red Kites, 2000 breed in southern Sweden and it's the local landscape bird but the star had to be an adult Rough-legged Buzzard, which was hovering alongside the motorway as we passed, looking absolutely stunning in the bright sunlight.

We spent a few hours at Getterön visiting the hides, viewing platforms and walking the nature trails. Grazing around the lagoon was large numbers of Barnacle Geese and Greylag Geese with a number of White-fronted Geese and single Red-breasted Goose also noted. There appeared to be a constant movement of Whooper Swans during our stay, with birds feeding around the lagoon and small family parties departing regularly, perhaps taking advantage of the clear conditions. We managed just two Bewick Swans but these quickly moved on. A decent population of Avocet with 35 birds and a selection of other waders which included: Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Several pairs of Smew in the open water, along with Eurasian Teal and three Green-winged Teal. Goldeneye were plentiful, as were Shelduck and Tufted Duck, along with a small population of Gadwall and a pair of Goosander.

Common Eider

After Getterön we headed south some 15 miles to Morups Tånge lighthouse. Here a walk along the shoreline produced rafts of Common Scoter out to sea but the main reason for our visit, King Eider! In spring many Common Eiders congregate here, gathering along with other duck species in large numbers before heading off to breeding grounds. Red-breasted Merganser and Velvet Scoter before after what seemed an age scanning the Eiders a single distant King Eider, as expected mingled in with the common, not the best view we've ever had!

Taiga Bean Goose ~ Well spotted by Dee as he peered over the rocks!

A steady walk back to the car park gave an opportunity to check out the large sea lagoon, Dee brilliantly spotting the above Taiga Bean Goose! A few more waders to be found, including a displaying pair of Ringed Plover. Two Snow Bunting and single Rock Pipit flew through as we approached the car park and the final bird as we left was a stunning male Hen Harrier! On route back to Malmö 30+ Common Cranes over, a large population winter here.

As a footnote the weather for the best part of our stay was dreadful! With heavy snow and unseasonal temperatures throughout our stay. In fact, a visit to Kristianstads Vattenrike wetlands on Sunday was abandoned when heavy snow made conditions virtually impossible!!

📖 #20 ~ Great Egrets

🌤11C Thursday 22nd March 2018 ~ Two Great Egrets certainly gave us the runaround at Brandon Marsh this morning! First seen on Swallow Pool, then River Pool and finally rewarding the Brandon volunteers with some terrific views from the East Marsh Hide.

One of a brace of Great Egrets at Brandon Marsh today!

Great Egret

Almost unnoticed a single Dunlin on Willow Island, (2) Shelduck, (8) Snipe, (2) singing Chiffchaff and a Willow Tit at the Carlton ditch were other highlights. Looks like the door could be open for some intense spring migration tomorrow and over the coming weekend with Thrushes and other winter migrants moving out and summer migrants moving in.

📖 #19 ~ Spring Migration

💨❄️🌤1C Monday 19th March 2018 ~Since my last post I've been out and about most days in search of early spring migrants. That said the mini 'beast from the East' over the past few days seems to have put a stopper on the trickle of birds already making it through to our shores!

Chiffchaff ~ Brandon Marsh

A singing Chiffchaff was the best on Thursday while working with the Brandon Marsh Team! Our time was spent preparing the Islands and Sand Martin structure for the forthcoming breeding season. At Draycote Water on Friday morning, I set off towards Hensborough Bank where a Wheatear had been reported the previous afternoon but there was no sign! However, I did manage to see the Swallow along Farnborough Bank which has been around for a few days and during my short stay here a Sand Martin drifted through. After Draycote I headed off to Brandon Marsh late morning and along with Alan Boddington managed at least three Sand Martins.

Otter ~ Swimming to the back of Carlton Pool

Saturday a late afternoon vigil in the East Marsh Hide in very challenging conditions yielded my first local Redshanks (3) of the year and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was also present: the prize for sticking it out for a couple of hours, a Dog Otter! First seen briefly on East Marsh I rushed down to Carlton Hide just in time to snap a photo as it swam through.

One of two Mistle Thrush on the car park bank Brandon Marsh!

Again today (Monday) another battling walk along Farborough Bank, Draycote as the 'beast' continued to hammer in. Best before heading on to Brandon Marsh was a couple of Rock Pipits feeding with a mixture of Redwing, Meadow Pipits and Fieldfare along the grass bank.

Redwing from the comfort of the car at Brandon!

On arrival at Brandon a spot of comfort birding from the car, when along the car park grass bank a number of Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush and a brace of Mistle Thrush were feeding. As expected no additions on the migrant front from East Marsh Hide but a Pintail pair, (5) Oystercatcher and two Shelduck, plus adult Yellow-legged Gull.