We're Closed - You Can't Come In! (Brandon Marsh)

Chaffinch


Lapwing


Oystercatcher Family

Lapwing

Oystercatcher Family

A couple of hours sleep following a busy night shift and I needed to get out. The weather forecast was for heavy rain so I decided to go to Brandon Marsh with hides to shelter in rather than risk the banks at Draycote with no protection. I arrived at 1600 and went to enter the visitor centre, but stood aside to allow an elderly couple room to exit. Seeing I was about to enter, the door was locked and a verbal shout informed me "We are closed!". The "volunteers" were not going to be moved despite visitors still in the centre. Ok, I will go to the side gate - it was locked! May be I should go home? Anyway decided to walk down the back lane (stuff them - I am tired!). It was very warm and sunny but with a hint of rain in the air and I walked to Carlton Hide, East Marsh Hide and around Newlands, amassing 52 bird species before leaving at 1900. I did not get wet (plus point!) and only have a few mediocre photo's to show for my efforts (tiredness?)

No year ticks and all the usual suspects in attendance the best being Hobby and Cuckoo in the dead tree from Carlton Hide. The Oystercatcher family (2 adults and 2 young) were quite amusing as the young swam between the islands.

I constantly scanned the sky in the hope of raptors - another blog reporting local Red Kite, Honey Buzzard and Goshawk! As usual, I had to make do with Common Buzzard, Crows and Pigeons!!! Some may call me "cynical!"

Sitting in Carlton Hide, enjoying the Hobby in the dead tree, when, crash, bang the door opens and in comes a small group. Talking loudly and knocking equipment against the woodwork. Seen anything interesting? asks one. Nice Hobby in the dead tree, I reply. Ignored. Looks like a woodpecker in the dead tree says another. Its a Hobby I reply. Ignored. Crash, Bang - more noise. Then, its a Hobby (loud voice)! More noise as they all try to get on it. Some might say that I am not a nice person, as I do not tolerate fools very well! When I am tired, I AM horrid! Time to leave.

Todays Sightings:

Swift; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Swallow; Robin; Green Woodpecker; Pheasant; Coot; Wren; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Jay; Chaffinch; Mute Swan; Chiffchaff; Reed Warbler; Cuckoo; Mallard; Moorhen; Willow Warbler; Gadwall; Canada Goose; Grey Heron; Tufted Duck; Common Tern; Cormorant; Oystercatcher; Whitethroat; Lapwing; Cettis Warbler; Reed Bunting; Sedge Warbler; Hobby; Dabchick; Stock Dove; Buzzard; Blackbird; Magpie; Grey Lag Goose; Ringed Plover; Little Ringed Plover; House Martin; Sand Martin; Redshank; Great Crested Grebe; Song Thrush; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Long Tailed Tit; Blackcap; Garden Warbler; Greenfinch; Goldfinch.