Whooper Swans - Brandon Marsh
A family Christmas in Rugby opened a window of opportunity, enabling me to visit two of my old haunts, Brandon Marsh (24th December) and Draycote Water (26th December).
Brandon Marsh was shrouded in very atmospheric mist and if I had got my arse into gear earlier would have provided some great images! Sitting in the East Marsh Hide, I eventually twigged that my camera was there for a purpose and reeled off a few shots.
The mist also shrouded a Bittern that flew from Newlands, breaking through the mist at the last minute and dropping into the reeds to the right of East Marsh Hide, where it stayed, no doubt until I had left! No images but never the less a year tick, in fact a three year tick!
Also out of the mist came two Whooper Swans
Something also made the Lapwings nervous as they took to the air on many occasions in varying numbers
Photographic opportunities were limited due to the mist but also created some natural Christmas decorations!
It was perhaps a mistake to go to Draycote Water on Boxing Day! Massive numbers of people, families with kids trying out their new bikes, keep fit fanatics running and cycling, canoeists and yacht enthusiasts constantly moving the waterfowl all made birding rather challenging! Indeed, an organised fitness group reminded me of the scene in Zulu when the sound of hundreds of Zulu's came over the hill! I only saw one other birder!
Unfortunately, there were reduced water fowl numbers with just the expected common species.
Great Crested Grebe
Dabchick
Goldeneye
Mr & Mrs Gadwall
(Not so) Common Gull
Guardian of the Gate - Buzzard
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