Brandon Marsh & Bretford

Now boys, don't fight - you can both have me..........!

(Gadwall)

Brandon was rather quiet this morning with nothing exceptional appearing, but then I only visited East Marsh Hide. Arriving before first light, I walked past sheep field and newlands in the hope of Owls, but again was disappointed. As I arrived at East Marsh Pool a Barnacle Goose was on the island, but by the time I arrived at the hide it had disappeared. My main objective was a Bittern, that most people have had very good views of, and excellent images have appeared on various websites. Well, I sat and waited but nothing until four hours into my vigil, when at last, a Bittern flew up from the right reed bed and dropped in to a pool towards Carlton pool. At least it was now on my 2011 list, despite it being a rear view with legs dangling. While waiting, I was entertained by the largest number of Gadwall I have seen at Brandon, the antics of Shoveler and three Shelduck. Other ducks included Tufted, Teal, male & female Pochard, Wigeon and a lone female Goldeneye. Today, was my lowest number of species seen at Brandon for a long time, no doubt due to not visiting all areas. (List at end of post). 

On my way home, I stopped to view the single Bewicks Swan, amongst the many Mute Swans between Bretford and Church Lawford.

Gadwall

Shoveler

Shoveler

Shoveler

Bewicks Swan

Todays Sightings:

Robin; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Dunnock; Great Tit; Carrion Crow; Bullfinch; Magpie; Black Headed Gull; LBB Gull; Mute Swan; Tufted Duck; Mallard; Canada Goose; Grey Lag Goose; Barnacle Goose; Lapwing; Song Thrush; Cormorant; Teal; Shelduck; Grey Heron; Pochard; Shoveler; Coot; Wigeon; Gadwall; Common Gull; Herring Gull; Goldeneye; Bittern; Starling; Blue Tit.

Bewicks Swan.