Brandon Marshes :: 15 October 2011

A beautiful afternoon so off we headed to Brandon Marshes. A prompt start after music lessons meant we started with lunch in the Badger Tearoom - we got a first hand indication of the turning weather with repeated views of a nuthatch. We haven't seen this bird on our numerous summer visits but food supplies around the reserve must be changing.

Out into the reserve and immediately we saw the buzzards soaring along the edge of the reserve adjoining the golf course. They were soon joined by a very active kestrel. It was then quiet until we sat down in the hides and saw some of the returning ducks, especially the shoveler and wigeon. With very reduced water levels there was little around, even at the Carlton Hide, the highlight being the green sandpiper.

The species list for this visit totalled 35 including: magpie, woodpiegeon, nuthatch, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, chaffinch, greenfinch, feral pigeon, dunnock, bullfinch, robin, willow tit, buzzard, black headed gull, kestrel, cormorant, lapwing, snipe, gadwall, mute swan, teal, tufted duck, mallard, grey heron, coot, shoveler, carrion crow, wigeon, moorhen, starling, blackbird, pheasant, green sandpiper and blackcap.