A Buzzard was flying and calling to the east of the village first thing, and two Mistle Thrushes in the Yew tree. Generally few other winter thrushes about, a small flock of Fieldfare were feeding on a winter wheat field next to the Mere lane. There are many apple trees around with loads of fallen fruit still on the ground mostly untouched by the thrushes, which is very unusual for late December.
I visited Brandon Marsh after lunch, the keen wind meant most small birds were elsewhere but there was a nice selection of other birds. I spent some time hoping to see the Bittern from the Steetly hide, but no joy. I was kept entertained by a Heron and a 'trip' of Teal, 6 drakes were showing off around a single female.
On east marsh there was a wider selection of ducks; three Goldeneye (2m, 1f), one of the males had been displaying to the female and mating, three Goosanders (1m, 2f) and three Pintail (2m, 1f) were also present along with Wigeon, Tufted Duck, teal, Gadwall, Mallard, four Pochard, two male Shelduck and a large mixed flock of Grey-lag and Canada Geese.
A Water Rail kept appearing and feeding in the gully made in the reed bed by the east marsh hide. A party of Long-tailed Tits were nearby and a little earlier a Coal Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen.
I met another observer who was knowledgeable about fungi, he pointed out some Candle snuff fungus, which looks like snuffed out candle wick, in the past also called 'stags horn fungus'. It is a common species, but being small is easily missed.
No comments:
Post a Comment