Brandon Marsh

This morning I intended to visit Draycote Water but the early morning rain put me off, so instead, I headed to Brandon Marsh, where at least I knew shelter could be had should the rain persist. The day was a mixture of light rain, sunshine, showers and gloom. Arriving at 0615 I was not the first with a number of the Brandon regulars already in place. I have to ask, though, why is it necessary to take all their cars down onto the reserve? The Olive bench corner resembled Tesco's car park! Yes, I know they were ringing, but one car is sufficient to carry equipment. There must be more "wardens" at Brandon than the total number of WWT reserves! I appreciate the valuable work these volunteers do but surely the cars can be left in the top carpark? Legs are a very efficient form of transport when used appropriately!

Arriving on Newlands, I was pleased to get my best views this year of a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Unfortunately, my images do not do this bird justice. It was to be high ISO day to get any reasonable speed.

Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler

East Marsh Pool held all of the expected birds, Common Tern, Oystercatcher (3), Shelduck (2), Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank, a drake Teal, Sand Martin. The hedgerows and reed beds contained numerous Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Cettis Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler.

Carlton Pool gave me my best views of two Kingfishers this year. A further (same?) bird was also seen in flight on East Marsh Pool. Two Grey Wagtails passed through but little else.

Jay

Redshank

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Walking back through New Hare, it was good to meet up with Geoff H at last and while watching Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Nuthatch appeared with a Treecreeper higher up in the canopy. It was rather dark so my efforts at capturing the Nuthatch required a very high ISO.

Nuthatch

Nuthatch

Most of the Warblers remained elusive but I managed to capture Whitethroat and Willow Warbler on my way back to the visitor centre.

Whitethroat

Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

And finally, I couldn't resist these "luvvy duvvy" Shelducks on East Marsh!

Mr & Mrs Shelduck

(More images can be seen on my website - see link opposite)

Todays Sightings 0615 - 1030:

Wood Pigeon; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Blackbird; Pied Wagtail; Willow Warbler; Blackcap; Robin; Blue Tit; Swallow; Cettis Warbler; Song Thrush; Dunnock; Whitethroat; Wren; Stock Dove; Garden Warbler; Chiffchaff; Mallard; Reed Bunting; Oystercatcher; Grasshopper Warbler; Cuckoo; Sedge Warbler; Grey Heron; Swift; Black Headed Gull; Common Tern; Coot; Tufted Duck; Mute Swan; Shelduck; Grey Lag Goose; Lapwing; Little Ringed Plover; Ringed Plover; Moorehen; Pheasant; Redshank; Teal; Sand Martin; Jay; Reed Warbler; Bullfinch; Grey wagtail; Great Tit; Cormorant; Green Woodpecker; Long Tailed tit; Treecreeper; Goldcrest; Nuthatch.