Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Brandon Marsh


Jay


Jay


Grey Heron West Marsh Pool


Cute Coot Family! West Marsh Pool


Grey Heron West Marsh Pool


Cute Coot! West Marsh Pool


Kingfisher West Marsh Pool

Kingfisher West Marsh Pool


Redshank East Marsh Pool


Redshank East Marsh Pool


Juv Redshank leaving Teal Hide!

More Pictures on Website

Although the weather was rather gloomy and with a hint of mist, I decided to visit Brandon this morning, arriving at 0615. The carpark was empty, so I thought I had it to myself! Wrong!! At the bottom of the lane were parked half a dozen fishermens cars, oh joy! the custom of worm drowning has started! A walk around Newlands in gloomy conditions produced very little. At the corner, affectionately known by some as Cettis corner, were parked three vehicles with "Warden" stickers. Ahh. I thought, must be ringing. Wrong again!!! As I approached the East Marsh pool, I was aware that Common Tern, Lapwing, Redshank and Oystercatcher were all in the air and making quite a racket. I scanned the sky expecting to see a raptor but nothing. As I approached the Wright hide, I could see the reason for the birds distress. Members of the Brandon Conservation Group were on the water in a boat and on the islands. Is it Thursday? I thought, no Tuesday. With the limited time I have available for birding, I would never visit on a Thursday due to the valuable and necessary conservation work that takes place. But this is Tuesday, my heart sank! It was pointless spending time on East Marsh, so I spent time in the other areas until they had finished. Eventually, the day began to brighten, the sun came out and the temperature rose. Highlight of the day came in the form of a very obliging Kingfisher on West Marsh. Although nothing out of the ordinary about, I amassed 54 bird species before leaving at 1100.

Todays Sightings:

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

More Pictures on Web Site
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2 comments:

  1. Max Silverman17 June 2009 at 09:40

    Nice shots.I was there on Tuesday and did not do so well as you.Saw several Jays and as usual they legged it before I could get a shot.No KF's at the west marsh and very little else except loads of Warblers.

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  2. Kevin Groocock17 June 2009 at 20:11

    Thanks Max - sorry I missed you. I was in West Marsh hide with Jeff Rankine and I think we were lucky with the Kingfisher as it left and had not returned when I had to leave. The Jay was a real "poser". Certainly the latter part of my visit made up for the early "disturbance".

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