Brandon Marsh :: 30 March 2013

As it was the school Easter break, we had Granny & Grandpa to stay. They joined us for lunch and a walk round the reserve - not the full circle as it was a bitter wind, just down to the East Marsh and Carlton hides. We were rewarded with a fly-past from a water rail in front of the East Marsh hide and then a short view as the water rail made it's way along the edge of the reeds, unfortunately away from us.

On our way back to the Visitor Centre we came across a small group of photographers following a pair of goldcrests down the path. We joined briefly and managed a decent record shot. Some of the others have posted their photos on the Unofficial Guide to Brandon Marsh site. Well worth a look.

Our sightings (39) included: carrion crow, kestrel, blue tit, great tit, pheasant, chaffinch, reed bunting, coal tit, blackbird, woodpigeon, black-headed gull, magpie, dunnock, feral pigeon, robin, water rail, teal, shoveler, coot, moorhen, wigeon, mute swan, great-crested grebe, cormorant, tufted duck, lesser-black backed gull, common gull, lapwing, shelduck, canada goose, greylag goose, snipe, mallard, gadwall, long tailed tit, goldcrest, pied wagtail, greenfinch and great spotted woodpecker.