12th June - mostly cloudy, warm 18C, light southerly breeze, occasional drizzle.light rain

I went to Brandon marsh this afternoon as heavy showers were forecast and I thought having hides to shelter in would be a good idea, however the showers did not materialize.  But the weather was not good for butterflies etc.

On Teal pool a couple of Redshank, several Teal, Mallard and Gadwall were feeding, along with some Black-headed Gulls..

 Redshank

Black-headed Gulls

A Moorhen had four chicks and were feeding in front of the hide, occasionally taking food to the chicks.

 Moorhen Chick

Moorhen feeding chick

Over the Newlands marsh two Hobbies hunted frequently, they looked like 1 summer birds, born last year.  Also, a juvenile Kestrel and female were sitting on the posts and occasionally flew around.  just by the hide a Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler were having a dispute, all were collecting food for young, presumably their nests were very close to each other.

On east marsh a Common Tern on a raft has two chicks and dive-bombed the Mute Swan family as they got too close (six cygnets).  The Lapwing flock has now grown to ~40, so post-breeding birds are returning to their moulting grounds.  Three Little-ringed Plovers were on the island, among the Greylag Geese a feral barnacle Goose was found.  From the hide Cetti's Warblers could be heard singing and more Warblers were collecting food, a couple kept popping uo and had a quick preen.

Reed Warblers

A Little grebe was seen from the Carlton hide.  About six Goldfinch were around the car park trees.  In all 56 species were seen here today.