Brandon Marsh

Having seen some excellent images on various blogs and websites, I decided to pay a visit to Brandon Marsh this morning. Not a bad day, bird wise, with 62 species being seen between 0615 and 1230, but a poor day for pictures.

This just about sums up my photographic luck today!

The day started dull with a cool north east wind, but this did not stop the warblers and thrushes singing their hearts out. My walk today visited all the hides which were being cleaned very diligently - so nice that the cleaning gentleman is doing such an excellent job before most visitors are out of bed! 

Good numbers of Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Garden Warblers sang out, accompanied by Robin, Blackbird and Song Thrush. Cettis Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers came in over the tops of the woodland warblers and the reeling Grasshopper Warblers were not outdone.

East Marsh Pool had reduced duck numbers but the islands held four Little Ringed Plovers, one Ringed Plover, the female Ruff, seven Snipe, four Oystercatchers, one Common Sandpiper and two splendid Yellow Wagtails. Also of note were two Kingfishers, one Barnacle Goose and three Common Terns. My first Cuckoo of the year called out from the dead tree opposite Carlton Hide. A complete list of birds at end of blog.

Well, I started the blog with an image of a Whitethroat turning its back as typical of my luck today. My quest to capture Grasshoper Warbler was also rather difficult. I have seen some good images recently, so it is with some embarrassment that I offer my efforts! In my defence, the bird did not come very close!

Grasshopper Warbler

Todays Sightings:

Jay; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch; Pheasant; Robin; Swallow; Magpie; Blackbird; Jackdaw; Goldfinch; Bullfinch; Dunnock; Pied Wagtail; Blue Tit; Green Woodpecker; Willow Warbler; Blackcap; Grey Lag Goose; Mallard; Cettis Warbler; Canada Goose; Song Thrush; Whitethroat; Wren; Grey Heron; Stock Dove; Chiffchaff; Great Tit; Grasshopper Warbler; Cuckoo; Sedge Warbler; Mute Swan; Reed Bunting; Reed Warbler; Sand Martin; Common Tern; Tufted Duck; Lapwing; Oystercatcher; Little Ringed Plover; Coot; Redshank; Great Crested Grebe; Ringed Plover; Black Headed Gull; Snipe; Ruff (f); Teal; Moorhen; Gadwall; Common Sandpiper; Kingfisher; Cormorant; Garden Warbler; Long Tailed Tit; Barnacle Goose; Goldcrest; House Martin; Yellow Wagtail; Mistle Thrush; Buzzard.