Bitterly Cold Brandon

Despite it being a Bank Holiday, I arrived at Brandon this morning at first light. It was bitterly cold, and of course, all of the pools were frozen! This of course meant very few birds! The Bank Holiday meant lots of people - it was packed! Between 0800 and 1545 I only amassed 46 bird species, walking around Newlands and then to East Marsh and Carlton Hides. It was good to meet Di Stone (at last) in Carlton and a few other regulars.

The best birds were a Sparrowhawk on Newlands, three Cettis Warbler's between the golf course and Carlton, a Buzzard in the dead tree and a second one over the sheep field. Water Rail were heard but not seen in two locations and five Snipe were located on the island in front of the Wright Hide. Despite sitting it out for hours, the Bittern(s) did not show and neither did the Barn Owl(s).

A full list of sightings below images.

First Light

Frozen East Marsh Pool

Frozen East Marsh Pool

Opportunist Magpie on Swallow Pool

Blue Tit from Carlton

The closest bird - Magpie in front of East Marsh

Frozen East Marsh Pool

Frozen East Marsh Pool

Here come the (Mute) Swans

( More images on my website - link opposite )

Todays Sightings:

Pheasant; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch; Green Woodpecker; BH Gull; Dunnock; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Redwing; Blackbird; Mistle Thrush; Song Thrush; Mallard; Cettis Warbler; Cormorant; Sparrowhawk; Moorhen; Water Rail; Coot; Canada Goose; Shoveler; Gt Sp Woodpecker; Tufted Duck; Snipe; Wren; Bullfinch; Stock Dove; Reed Bunting; Mute Swan; Common Gull; LBB Gull; Teal; Buzzard; Jay; Herring Gull; Long Tailed Tit; Kestrel; Grey Lag Goose; Grey Heron; Siskin; Greenfinch; Collared Dove; Starling.