A couple of hours at Brandon Marsh.

[John]

This morning I had no chance of getting out as I had to clean out our 60 gallon Aquarium but once done, and a sandwich in my stomach, I was on my way to Brandon Marsh which is only 4 miles away.

I couldn't have timed it worse. Prior to starting out it had been bright and sunny but within 10 minutes of getting there the sky had turned inky black and the temperature dropped alarmingly. This was certainly no day for decent photography, more likely no photography at all.

It was a shame it was so dark as on the first pool there were two displaying Great crested Grebes. Well within digiscoping range in half decent conditions but no point in trying today. On to the Wright hide and my first surprise of the day. On the island were a couple of Ringed Plover (my first of this year), three Dunlin (my first in the Midlands this year) and a Snipe (my first within 80 miles of Coventry this year). Apart from the usual Tufties, Teal, Shoveller, B H gulls there was little else. I tried scanning for the Bittern, that is occasionally seen, but with no success.

It was getting even colder so it was time for a brisk walk around a few of the hides. On the way I saw my first Willow Tit for the reserve, a pair of Gadwall then my second surprise as a Muntjac shot across my path, within 10 foot of me, and just melted into the foliage as quickly as he had appeared.

The other hides produced virtually nothing but the last hide brought another suprise when about 300 yards away was another Muntjac. It was still a bit of an extreme distance but I though I would try for a photograph. At one point it was quite surreal as within the frame I had the Muntjac a Canada Goose and a Mallard.

Below I have attached a few photos. Please excuse the quality as the light and distance were totally against anything of quality.

Have a good look at one of the photos with the Canada Goose in it as it gives you an indication of just how small these Muntjacs are. I have also attached a photo of where the Muntjac, Canada Goose and Mallard are within a few feet of each other.

John

[digi]

I enjoy reading your reports John and its nice to see at least one of us got some decent photos today.

[John]

Originally Posted by digi

I enjoy reading your reports John and its nice to see at least one of us got some decent photos today.

Ooh!! your too nice digi. I wouldn't call them decent photos. Better than nothing, yes, but the conditions were bad today. If the weather had been like that when I was leaving the house I think I would have stayed put and not even ventured out.

I suspect it was similar conditions your end?

John

[Ollie]

A nice report John, and your photos I thought were very decent considering the conditions you described. Thanks for sharing them with us all.

Ollie

[digi]

Originally Posted by John

I suspect it was similar conditions your end?

John

Bitterly cold, dull, oh and miserable to!

Forecast no change and I have 10 days holiday to take before the end of March

[Wild-Woman]

Well we went to a lambing weekend at Hadlow college and we did witness a lambing which was great. Never seen it before and it was lovely to see new life like that.Then we went to Leybourne Lakes to see if we see the illusive bullfinch that I so want to see. Unfortunately, as we arrived it started to snow and as John experienced,a sudden drop in the temperature seemed to send all birdlife under cover. Better luck next weekend I hope. Oh and the little male siskin is still dropping in for a feed each day. ww

[John]

Originally Posted by digi

Bitterly cold, dull, oh and miserable to!

Forecast no change and I have 10 days holiday to take before the end of March

Dare I suggest a snow board, wetsuit and waterproof camera.

Have a good un whatever you do and keep it in mind that they don't always get the weather right.

John

[Alan]

Shame about the conditions; light and distance John. They're still good record shots though. Most people, including me, have never had the chance or luck to see these elusive mammals let alone photograph them.

Good memories for you though. Which is the important thing.

[glsammy]

Enjoyed that John. My day was spent in my back garden.. Still trying to switch on my new camera..

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by John

300 yards away was another Muntjac. It was still a bit of an extreme distance but I though I would try for a photograph. John

Just goes to prove how valuable to wildlife recording digiscoping is, you would have needed a seriously big and expensive telephoto lens to get those images with a camera alone.

Great report and photos as usual John, reading that brightens up a foul and snowy day

[pheonix]

i went to brandon marsh for the first time a few weeks ago (when they had the open day) i thought it was great and plan to return soon. when i was sat in the wright hide i saw a muntjac right on the very far bank.

[John]

Originally Posted by pheonix

i went to brandon marsh for the first time a few weeks ago (when they had the open day) i thought it was great and plan to return soon. when i was sat in the wright hide i saw a muntjac right on the very far bank.

The one I photographed was from the Carlton Hide and that is a fairly well known spot for them.

If you are coming up again let me know as I only live 4 miles away.

John

[John]

Originally Posted by Fourwings

Just goes to prove how valuable to wildlife recording digiscoping is, you would have needed a seriously big and expensive telephoto lens to get those images with a camera alone.

Great report and photos as usual John, reading that brightens up a foul and snowy day

At that range could any telephoto lens reach that distance. I am talking poss in excess of 300 yards. that's one heck of a distance and I didn't think that the distance could be reached outside of Digiscoping.

Glad you liked the report.

John