Another Local Outing

Took the kids for a visit to Brandon Marsh today for them to have a walk around and with the hope of seeing the little gulls that had been reported.

There wasn't actually too much to see today, certainly no little gull however reports came in later in the day that some had been seen at Draycote, could be the same ones?

Managed to get a few photos but nothing major. There were a number of Shovelar present and a pair of lingering Widgeon, a pair of Oystercatcher and a single Redshank.

Highlight of the day was my first Sand Martin of the year.

Mute Swan

 

It was nice to hear the Chiffchaff singing around the reserve announcing the arrival of spring.

 

Chiffchaff

A juvenile gull was playing 'drop & catch' with a pebble which the kids found hilarious.

'Drop & Catch' Gull

 

Oystercatcher

Shovelar

As we were leaving I caught a flash of white in the screens leading to one of the hides, a bit of patience rewarded us with a Treecreeper scouring the screen for insects.

Treecreeper



Forest of Dean

Had a few hours to kill today so made a trip to the Forest of Dean for the Two-barred Crossbills that have been showing extremely well of late. They had been reported around Crabtree Hill just down from Speech House and a blog I read yesterday gave Ordnance Survey grid references. I parked up in the Speech House car park and took a walk to said grid reference but was unable to locate any Crossbills by sight or sound. I did however manage Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Stock Dove and Marsh Tit for the year list, Goldcrest and Marsh Tit are also Bird Race ticks. Them Goldcrests are difficult to photograph, I had to put the camera onto manual and rattled off a fair few shots of which this is the best one!

76. Goldcrest

 

Thought I'd add this Treecreeper as it's marginally better than my one from previously on my blog.



I was on my way back to the car when I stopped to watch some Nuthatch's chasing each other around the canopy, when a tit flock came through which contained a few Marsh Tit, again not the best clarity as I was on manual trying to keep up with them. I've just realised that I also need Nuthatch for the Bird Race list but don't think I got any shots other that silhouettes of them.

77. Marsh Tit

77. Marsh Tit

 

I thought I'd add this one to today's blog as I was reasonably pleased with it, seems that Robins are the only birds I can satisfactorily take photos of.

Robin

 



After my abysmal failure at locating the TBC's I decided to head down to Parkend as Hawfinch's had be reported around the grassy area along the side of the cricket pitch. I spent about half an hour searching and only managed to find 2 Robins and a flock of Greenfinch. I decided to give it up and started to head towards the car when I heard high pitched squeaking, on looking up I saw a flock of finches fly over my head and across to the top of some tall trees. I stopped for a look and was rewarded with not 1 Hawfinch but 8! I've taken a few shots but they were at a distance, high up and with a grey back drop, you can just about make them out as Hawfinches from their shape and pattern.

 78. Hawfinch

 



78. Hawfinch





So even though I didn't catch up with the TBC, or even Common Crossbills actually, I still had an enjoyable couple of hours as this was only the second time I've seen Hawfinches.

Forest of Dean

On the way to pick the kids up I decided to go via the Forest of Dean, in particular New Fancy viewing platform to see if I could see a Goshawk before they finish displaying.  I arrived at the viewing platform, saw a pair of Buzzard over the canopy and a few Siskin in a tree close by.  Then literally within a few minutes of arriving and as my luck would have it of late, the skies opened up and the deluge began, aargh!!!!

I then popped over to RSPB Nagshead in hope of Hawfinch and Marsh Tit but again to no avail, I did manage a photo of a Song Thrush for the race though.....

13. Song Thrush

 

Since it was dire birding here I headed over to Cannop Ponds for Mandarin Duck and Dipper.  My luck improved slightly as there were a great number of Mandarin Duck present with very close views of both male and female.  Whilst I was there I scoured the brook between the two ponds for Dipper but failed to locate any, a small consolation was a pair of Grey Wagtail though so not complaining.  Then just as I was about to leave a large crow  appeared, and with a big wedge of a tail was unmistakably a Raven, even better it landed in the tree I was standing by so afforded some great close up views of this often 'seen in the distance' bird.  A couple of photos were gathered of some commoner species to make the numbers up for the race.

 

 14. Blackbird

15. Moorhen

 

 16. Treecreeper

 

 17. Lesser Black Backed Gull

 

 

As I managed to get some close up views of the Mandarin Duck I thought I'd add some of my favourite shots..

 



 18. Mandarin Duck

 

 19. Grey Wagtail

 

 20. Mute Swan

 



21. Mallard

 

 22. Coot

 

 23. Robin

 

 24. Raven

 

25. Great Tit

 

Little bit gutted about the Goshawk, will have to try again but next time check the weather forecast, especially as this would be a lifer for me.....