Monday 18 June 2012

Brandon Marsh :: 17 June 2012

Given that I took Charlotte to an RSPB Reserve for Valentine's Day, it won't surprise anyone that for Fathers Day I decided to take the family birdwatching, to Brandon Marshes on this ocassion.

The weather forecast was significantly better than the previous day, no strong winds but still the potential for a odd rain shower.  Staring with our traditional lunch stop we set-off round the reserve on our normal route.  Straight off we caught sight of a jay - a good start to any visit. Continuing on to New Hare Covert we were caught in our first rain shower.  WhitethroatFortunately the high trees and leaves protected us from getting wet and we were able to stand an watch an array of blue and great tits around the top of the tree canopy.  As we passed the end of Swallow Pool we looked out over the Newlands Reedbed and began seeing the first of many whitethroats- there just seem to be so many of them again this year.  Soon after a group of willow warbler floated along the path with us.

The usual suspects were all to be found on the East Marsh Pool from the Wright Hide.  Other than an odd reed bunting there wasn't much else of note until we entered the East Marsh Hide.  So many small LBJs flying in amongst the reeds - it was hard to work out what they were for some time but it then became apparent, from photos and through binoculars, that they were all reed warblers.  After a few short showers and a brief visit to the Carlton Hide, we had eventually to make our way home.

The final treat was to come in the way of 6 buzzards wheeling in the sky at the reserve entrance as we left.

In total, today's sighting numbered 40 and included: pheasant, feral pigeon, blue tit, great tit, reed bunting, magpie, nuthatch, chaffinch, swallow, pied wagtail, carrion crow, common tern, tufted duck, robin, jay, blackbird, shelduck, lapwing, mute swan, cormorant, coot, house martin, dunnock, canada goose, whitethroat, gadwall, mallard, greylag goose, lesser black backed gull, herring gull, redshank, willow warbler, heron, bullfinch, reed warbler, chiffchaff, kestrel, woodpigeon, swift, and buzzard.