Saturday 26 October 2013

Brandon Marsh :: 26 October 2013

Dropped Charlotte off for a tennis match and then headed off to Brandon Marsh for lunch and an afternoon stroll. We encountered showers along the journey and it didn't look too promising as we arrived, so we left our gear in the car and opted for lunch. There was little on the feeder stations outside the Visitor Centre windows - we even became grateful for the late arrival of chaffinch and greenfinch.

Out on the reserve there were few species but plenty of birds, mainly large numbers of ducks (shoveler, widgeon and teal) and black headed gulls. A couple of nice birds though; goldeneye, kingfisher and a juvenile grey wagtail from the Carlton Hide. As we left, we flushed a green woodpecker from beside the reserve road.

Not a stunning species count and nothing of any note, given that migration is underway and that there are reports of interesting visitors all across the country. Maybe next time.

Our confirmed sightings for the day (29) included: woodpigeon, magpie, feral pigeon, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, black headed gull, greenfinch, carrion crow, coot, buzzard, mute swan, mallard, gadwall, lapwing, teal, starling, moorhen, wigeon, shoveler, common gull, tufted duck, lesser black backed gull, heron, kingfisher, goldeneye, grey wagtail, robin and green woodpecker.