Brandon Marsh

Two days off in a row! This must be a record!

I had not been to Brandon for some weeks, so decided to pay a visit today. Arriving at 0830 I was able to amass 46 bird species, in the seasonally fresh conditions, before leaving at 1145.

The water was not too frozen despite below freezing temperatures. I concentrated mainly on East Marsh Pool, hoping of course for a Bittern to show, but alas, it was not to happen. The pool held most of the expected duck together with one male and one female Goldeneye, a female Goosander, and two Wigeon. A lone Dunlin flew in and was later joined by five Snipe. Three Water Rail's were along the path to East Marsh and a lone Cettis Warbler flitted and called in front of the hide. Large numbers of Siskin (50+) along the paths with about 15 Lesser Redpoll along the Wright Hide path. The snow unfortunately made visibility over the pool very difficult and blowing straight in through the hide flaps. As a result, no photo's were taken! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Todays Sightings:

Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Gt Sp Woodpecker; Robin; Dunnock; Gt Tit; Blue Tit; Chaffinch; Carrion Crow; Jackdaw; Jay; Coot; Moorhen; Kingfisher; Tufted Duck; Shoveler; Teal; Cormorant; Blackbird; BH Gull; Mallard; Goldeneye; LT Tit; Siskin; Lesser Redpoll; Fieldfare; Redwing; Water Rail; Gt Cr Grebe; Grey Heron; Gadwall; Goldfinch; Cettis Warbler; Dunlin; Wren; Lapwing; Grey Lag Goose; Snipe; Common Gull; Mute Swan; Sparrowhawk; LBB Gull; Goosander; Wigeon; Bullfinch; Stock Dove; Muntjac Deer; Common Seal.

Draycote Water

Blackcap

Blackcap

Bullfinch

Grey Squirell

Goldeneye

Smew

Smew

Smew

Smew

(More Images on my website - see link opposite)

My day started at Draycote where I met up with Richard M, Bob H and Francoise F. A pleasant walk around the perimeter in sunshine, but a keen seasonal blow. A Great Northern Diver and two female Common Scoter were seen over towards Rainbow Corner from Farborough Bank but not relocated when we arrived there. The drake Smew was initially elusive but eventually appeared off Draycote Bank. The hedges below Thurlaston village gave good views of a male Blackcap and at least eight Bullfinch's. No sign of the Green Winged Teal.

Todays Sightings:

Great Northern Diver; Gt Cr Grebe; Dabchick; Cormorant; Grey Heron; Canada Goose; Grey Lag Goose; Wigeon; Mallard; Gadwall; Teal; Pochard; Tufted Duck; Goosander; Smew; Goldeneye; Common Scoter; Buzzard; Kestrel; Coot; Moorhen; Lapwing; BH Gull; Common Gull; GBB Gull; LBB Gull; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Green Woodpecker; Gt Sp Woodpecker; Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail; Dunnock; Wren; Robin; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Redwing; Mistle Thrush; Blackcap; LT Tit; Gt Tit; Blue Tit; Starling; Magpie; Jackdaw; C Crow; Rook; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Siskin; Goldfinch; Bullfinch; Linnet. Blue Whale.  Also, Muntjac in field below Farborough Spit.

Great White Egret - Long Lawford (Day 3)

(More Images on my website - see link opposite)

Having spent the morning at Draycote in the company of Richard M, Bob H and Francoise F, we decided to visit Long Lawford to see if the Great White Egret was showing now that the sun was shining.

On arriving at Clayhill Lane, there was initially no sign, but it eventually appeared in flight, landing in the field off the footpath near West St. We quickly arrived and carefully crept towards the stream. The GWE was soon located but again flew towards Holbrook Grange. Richard & Bob called around at John J's house for a brew but I decided to forgo this treat and drove to the bridleway that passes through Holbrook Grange. The GWE was soon relocated, but was well hidden near the sewage works, and again it was soon in flight, landing further down the path on the stream it favours. Excellent views were obtained and  appreciated by Bob and Richard when they caught me up.

The cold wind and snow showers soon got the better of us and a retreat was made to the cars.

Great White Egret - Long Lawford (Day 2)

I had to go back and there it was! The stream at Clayhill Lane, Long Lawford must be the favourite roost for the Great White Egret. Today, I was ready with camera on the passenger seat, set at a high ISO as it was still semi darkness and of course, the obligatory drizzle. Again the Egret was not going to hang around and was soon in the air, heading towards Church Lawford.

However, I managed a couple of record shots (a few more on my website - link opposite).

Great White Egret - Long Lawford

Well my brief window of opportunity opened to a dark, dull and drizzly morning, but full of hope I headed to Lawford to try for my first Warwickshire Great White Egret. I arrived at Clayhill Lane at 0820 and where the stream crosses under the road, and within 50yards of the road was the Egret. I had it to myself for two whole minutes, remaining in the car as not to flush it. I need not have worried as this deed was performed by a dog walker and the Egret flew west. I drove up the hill to view the area but nothing, then I the drove to the field footpath opposite West Street and walked to the stream then to the top of the hill but nothing.

My experience of Great White Egret so far has involved wet, dull rainy days, distant birds or quick glimpses!


So, success in seeing but failure in no pics. Had I planned better, and had my camera in the car and not in the boot - Ahh well....................................................!!! Next time (will probably be the same!).

Coombe Abbey

The sun was shining this morning so I decided to visit the bird hide at Coombe Abbey and continue my battle getting to grips with my 30D settings. I did not do very well (again). I had not visited Coombe for over six months and arriving in the car park, I soon noted the increase in parking fees, now standing at £3.20. Walking to the hide, I realised that the sun would be shining directly at the hide, resulting in most shots being over exposed and when the sun eventually hid behind the building clouds, I was having to increase the ISO. The bird table has gone with seed and suet now being placed in and on the trees and fallen branches making images a little more natural. I had the luxury of the hide to myself. The brightness and glare made the waterfowl difficult to observe.

To end my morning, I walked around the back route to the old toilet area and around the ponds in the hope of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Imagine my dismay, when nearly home, a text message from RBA informs me that a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker had been seen in this area at 1030.

I am not sure what happened, but when I got home and downloaded my images onto the computer, I had lost some. Missing were those of Dunnock, Blackbird and Coal Tit to name a few. Ahhh well - who said photography was easy???

Black Headed Gulls

Nuthatch

Blue Tit

Chaffinch

Bank Vole

Great Tit

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

Nuthatch

(More boring images on my website - see link opposite)

Today's Sightings:

Gt Cr Grebe; Dabchick; Cormorant; Grey Heron; Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Grey Lag Goose; Wigeon; Mallard; Gadwall; Teal; Pochard; Tufted Duck; Kestrel; Buzzard; Pheasant; Water Rail (Heard); Coot; Moorhen; BH Gull; Stock Dove; Wood Pigeon; Kingfisher; Green Woodpecker; Gt Sp Woodpecker; Grey Wagtail; Dunnock; Wren; Robin; Blackbird; Redwing; Fieldfare; Mistle Thrush; Cettis Warbler; Blackcap (f); LT Tit; Marsh Tit / Willow Tit; Coal Tit; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Treecreeper; Nuthatch; Starling; Jay; Magpie; Jackdaw; Rook; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch; Siskin; Bullfinch; Lesser Redpoll; Minke Whale.

Testing! Testing! Testing!

At last, after the morning's heavy rain, the sun finally showed itself and I was able to grab a couple of hours at Draycote this afternoon. The sole aim was to test my 30D recently purchased from Max and to prove that the "blue images" I was getting was all down to the incompetent operator setting the wrong white balance! I just wanted to take some images and I did not care what of! Below are my results with more on my website (see link opposite).

Unsociable Robin

Comparing Reds

In a previous life, I was a Ruddy Duck

Now I know why the water level is so low!

Come on guys, siesta is over

I'm supposed to be hidden

What did you say?

Thank goodness he's gone

Do you come here often?

Well, I had my chance!

Where's that flea powder?

Grass again!

What, me?

Daventry Country Park

A very short visit this morning and needing to get to the other side of the dam so that I was not looking into the (very unusual) sun! it was a bit of a dash. The parking fee has also gone up! now standing at £1.00 for an hour or £2.00 for the day.

Not a bad morning, birdwise with 47 species seen in the ninety minutes that I could allow. No pics today. Somehow, my camera white balance was changed, resulting in "blue" images (see image in post Swift Valley below). Hopefully, this is now rectified and normal service will be resumed when work and the weather allow!

Goosander numbers were up with 12m and 15f around the concrete outflow. A Kingfisher fly past was my first here for a while. The water levels are higher than on previous visits and the reducing mud held three Green Sandpiper's and a solitary Golden Plover. A Buzzard overhead sent up most of the Lapwing and Gulls (usually achieved by wayward dogs). The Gull numbers were lower with a single Yellow Legged Gull and a solitary juvenile Shelduck dabbled in the shallows. The hedgerows held a number of Tit / Finch flocks and also contained Treecreeper and Goldcrest. Sadly, I was short of time so it was a sprint back to the car.

Todays Sightings:

Gt Cr Grebe; Cormorant; Grey Heron; Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Shelduck; Wigeon; Mallard; Shoveler; Teal; Pochard; Tufted Duck; Goosander; Buzzard; Coot; Moorhen; Green Sandpiper; Golden Plover; Lapwing; B H Gull; Common Gull; Yellow Legged Gull; Herring Gull; LBB Gull; Wood Pigeon; Kingfisher; Pied Wagtail; Dunnock; Robin; Wren; Blackbird; Redwing; Goldcrest; L T Tit; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Treecreeper; Starling; Magpie; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Rook; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Siskin; Bullfinch; Goldfinch; Harbour Porpoise.

WWT Swift Valley - Rugby

Well, today was my day off and I was looking forward to getting out and using my newly acquired 30D camera. Days off are a premium so you can imagine my despair when the day dawned with heavy rain. I had thought I would go to Coombe Abbey, sit in the hide and fire away. Wrong! A phone call from school requested that I pick up my daughter who was not feeling well. The weather was slow to "improve?" until some brightness appeared at lunchtime. So where do I go? It was obvious that the light would remain poor and dusk would arrive early so I went down to the Swift Valley. This was my first visit despite my work base being only 400 yards away! Glad I had my wellies in the car as the mud was horrendous. I suppose I was hoping for the Great White Egret to appear!

Bird wise, the best were five Buzzard, two Kestrel, hundreds of Redwing and Fieldfare and a few mixed Tit / Finch flocks. The light was apalling so the camera had little use. Desperate to point it at something, the best I could do was the distant Highland Cattle! (Blue with cold?). Guess who did not read the manual properly?

I think I will hibernate! Bet tomorrow is sunny!

New to me Camera

Male Blackcap (like me - always kept in the dark!)

Today, I struck a deal with Max (S) to purchase his Canon 30D camera to replace my 400D. A few test shots in his garden resulted in the capture of this male Blackcap. Unfortunately, not yet being familiar with the 30D the image is not as good as I would have liked! So, despite being male, it is now my intention to sit down and READ THE MANUAL! Hopefully, things may improve! Watch this space but don't hold your breath!