Common as Muck! (The birds today at Draycote Water & Brandon Marsh).

This just about describes my day!

(and my work, home, birding balance!)

(Should have gone to specsavers Gwent or Lundy)

Draycote Water

I really could not make up my mind where to go this morning. Part of me said head out to see the Marmora's Warbler in Gwent, part said Rutland Water, Lundy was totally out of the question, but the part that won said stay local and try Draycote Water - something is bound to turn up! It did not - despite trudging around from Thurlaston as I arrived at 0630 (gates open at 0800). All the usual and expected birds were ready to be inspected (see list below) but it was the grass area below the valve tower that produced the only "special" sightings. Firstly, my attention was drawn to two Muntjac Deer on the woodland edge, obligingly posing for a pic before retreating to cover. Then, over the remains of a dead rabbit, two Buzzards were feeding before flying up into the trees to feed a juvenile. The rest of my walk was spent trying to capture a decent image of the many Swifts (failing miserably as usual!) and taking pics of common birds (hence my title) as long as they stayed still long enough. Unfortunately, the early morning was dull and grey needing high ISO.

 Muntjac Deer

Carrion Crow

You put your left leg in..................Coot

Pied Wagtail

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

House Sparrow

Leaving Draycote, I really needed something special, so I headed out to Brandon Marsh, hopeful that it would offer Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike......................but once again I was to be served up only the expected species!

Brandon Marsh

It was good to see that most of the bird species had fledgling young in good numbers and varying degrees of maturity. Sighting wise, a Kingfisher flew from its perch behind the old original Brandon Marsh Conservation Group shed (how much longer will this stand? - it must be well over 40 years old?). East Marsh held good numbers of Common Terns with Redshank (& four young), Little Ringed & Ringed Plovers. Two (?feral) Barnacle Geese were on the far bank. Carlton pool had four young Whitethroat being fed by their busy parents. Otherwise, a quiet time.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

juv Whitethroat

juv Whitethroat

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker

(More Images on my website - see link opposite)

Draycote Water Sightings (0630 - 1000):

House Sparrow; Wren; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Starling; Chiffchaff; Wood Pigeon; Mallard; Robin; Song Thrush; Swift; Swallow; Blackcap; Canada Goose; House Martin; Coot; Tufted Duck; Magpie; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Chaffinch; Mute Swan; Grey Heron; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Great Crested Grebe; Garden Warbler; Cormorant; Bullfinch; Long Tailed Tit; Rook; Pied Wagtail; Buzzard; Jackdaw; Whitethroat; Willow Warbler: Skylark; Yellowhammer; Pheasant; LBB Gull; Kestrel; Grey Wagtail; Reed Bunting; Dunnock; Moorhen; Green Woodpecker; Goldfinch.

Brandon Marsh Sightings 1020 - 1345:

Goldfinch; Swallow; Chaffinch; Wood Pigeon; Buzzard; Magpie; Great Tit; Greenfinch; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Song Thrush; Blackbird; Willow Warbler; Coot; Robin; Wren; Dunnock; Moorhen; Blue Tit; Blackcap; Kingfisher; Sedge Warbler; Cettis Warbler; Chiffchaff; Common Tern; Grey Heron; Reed Bunting; Tufted Duck; Mallard; Grey Lag Goose; Lapwing; Barnacle Goose; Canada Goose; Redshank; Gadwall; Little Ringed Plover; Ringed Plover; Whitethroat; Cormorant; Stock Dove; Jay; Reed Warbler; Teal; BH Gull; LBB Gull; Cuckoo; Shoveler; House Martin; Sand Martin; Green Woodpecker; Mute Swan; Swift; Great Crested Grebe.