Brandon Marsh

Water Rail

It's been a long while since I did any local birding and with the threat of rain, I decided to visit Brandon Marsh, where the numerous hides would provide shelter. Luckily, I escaped the rain, but the morning was very dull and depressing.

I have a new take on birding which is proving very motivating. I no longer access birding sites that report sightings and do not now follow local blogs. Twitter has been abandoned as local birders use it as a medium to "boast" their sightings! I now enjoy the lack of knowledge of what might be about and find my own birds, common or otherwise. It's a bit like knowing the result before seeing the match!

I started at the Ted Jury Hide which was completely devoid of birds due to heavy plant working on the reed beds. The pools in front of the Carlton Hide were equally devoid and appears to be "grassing" over! I spent most of my time in East Marsh and Teal Hides, where I found my first Green Sandpiper of the year! A list of sightings can be found at the end of this post.

Incoming! Grey Heron

Water Rail

Green Sandpiper

Teal

Canada Goose

Dabchick

Shoveler

Today's Sightings:

Green Woodpecker; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Robin; Mallard; Jay; Mute Swan; Grey Lag Goose; Teal; Moorhen; Green Sandpiper; Blue Tit; Stock Dove; Blackcap; Great Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Chaffinch; Coot; Lapwing; Black Headed Gull; LBB Gull; Grey Heron; Gadwall; Wigeon; Dabchick; Great Crested Grebe; Shoveler; Snipe; Water Rail; Peregrine; Kingfisher; Canada Goose; Pied Wagtail; Sparrowhawk; Starling; Jackdaw; Goldcrest; Chiffchaff; Dunnock; Kestrel; Swallow.