Brandon Marsh 11th January 2023

This has been a long time coming, very much overdue, after becoming a member of my local Wildlife Trust at the start of last year, and then, as many will know, my leg had other ideas.

Not to be thwarted, I eventually found a pair of boots that would fit my feet, a late afternoon hospital appointment and a break in the weather yesterday morning, was just the perfect recipe for a morning out, at Brandon Marsh.

Exercising my 24/7 access keycard, I arrived well before sunrise, and as intended, took my night vision binoculars for an outing as well. Though not a lot seen, I did manage to watch a fox foraging, who had also clocked its eyes on me.

It was also the first outing for the R5 to Brandon!

I like to push any camera to its limits, and not long after settling in the first hide, a pair of little grebes flew in. They stayed together throughout my stay there, whether they were siblings or a breeding pair, I've no idea, but always happy to hear/read any thoughts.

I would like to have ventured to one of the further out hides, but the last I'd heard was it had to be closed, it was sinking into the ground, which was a shame, because I understand barn owls have inhabited the owl box right in front.

But that didn't dampen the morning.

Mrs Goosander came swimming past, along with many coots, not my favourite waterfowl, but they have a part in nature.

Then the sun was starting to rise.

As the sun was rising, the dinosauromonts were coming in, and from where I was positioned, making perfectly silhouetted shapes on the water, along with the mute swans as  well.

BTW, if anyone wants to ID the gull, be my guest....

By now the sun had risen far enough to lose that early morning effect, but the dinosauromant on the pontoon was till a worthy pic....

The pair of little grebes, that were inseparable, except, when diving for food....

Mr Tuftie having a swim.

A mooning swan!     

Another dinosauromont...

The sun casting its final glow....

Even the moon was getting in on the act....

Mr Shovelor...

This mute swan kept swimming past the open slats of the hide, looking in, almost expectantly. I did sort of wonder if it was hoping for food, and perhaps people had been feeding it, and other waterfowl, from the hide.

I did encounter a similar scenario last year, where a pair of mute swans came up to me, looking all friendly, no hissing, and after placing some small bird food on the ground, they didn't hesitate to scoop the food up.....

More Mr Tufties

And finally, the family Pochard....

I'm not sure if these are siblings or what.... But they did make for a couple of nice photos

A brilliant morning out, and I was like a dog not with two tails, but more like ten tails!

I had it confirmed the hide which was sinking, and gives a good view of the barn owl nest box, is fixed, and open for use, so next time, you know where I'm going to be early in the morning....