Sunday 22 June 2008 - Brandon Marsh - 22/06/2008

Brandon Marsh, Warwickshire

Sunday 22nd June 2008

I had just dropped off 'her indoors' at the office in Birmingham and I was about to treat my daughter to a day of culture at the museum when I noticed that I had a couple of missed calls from Steve Seal and Tom Perrins.  Realising something had obviously kicked off in Warwickshire I grabbed my pager to find there was a EUROPEAN BEE-EATER at Brandon Marsh.  Obviously the museum trip would have to wait for another day!  As I arrived back home to pick up my equipment news came through that the bird had flown.  B*llocks!  I decided to head over just in case, as I arrived on site I received news that the bird had been seen a further couple of times but jeeeez the wind was now gale force.  It wasn't looking good.  Despite an extensive search of miles of suitable perching wires I failed to relocate the bird,  Gutted!  The only other record of this species in my home County was as long ago as 1886 when a pair was shot at Red Hill, the female was despatched on the 29th May and was found to contain 5 eggs whilst the lonely male was finally hunted down on the 2nd June.  There was also a reliable report of a single bird from nearby Long Lawford on the 10th June 2008.  Could this be the same bird and will it remain in Warwickshire long enough for me to connect with it?  Or will it be another 120 years before this species turns up in Shakespeare's County again? 

Highlights from around the reserve included 8 Common Tern (including a single chick), a pair of Oystercatcher, a Grey Wagtail and a couple of singing male Cetti's Warblers. 

South View, Polesworth, Warwickshire

The male Common Pheasant returned to the feeders today after a short absence.  The female Great Spotted Woodpecker and her hungry youngster were also present on and off along with a few young Coal Tits.  The pair of Northern Lapwings behind the house spent the day seeing off the resident Carrion Crows so it looks as though they are trying for a second brood.

*** MEGA ALERT ***

At 3.44pm a PACIFIC SWIFT passed through Kilnsea in East Yorkshire.  It was spotted by some lucky fella flying south over Beacon Ponds towards The Warren.  Unfortunately there was no further sign throughout the remainder of the day.  Earlier on in the day a possible PACIFIC SWIFT was reported in the Ealn Valley in Powys.