Bird Meeting at Laundry Lane and Brading Marsh on 8th May 2022

10 members meet on a beautiful sunny and warm morning for a walk along Laundry Lane and track towards Brading returning to our cars via Bexley Point and the pools southwest of Carpenters Farm. A very leisurely pace was set as the bird life was good throughout the morning. Our first stop was by the gate overlooking the main Brading Marsh with the first bird spotted – the White-tailed Eagle perched in his favourite tree. He was later joined by another. The trees lining the Eastern Yar were occupied by many Cormorants although not as many nests were seen this year possibly because some of the old trees have blown down. A Wheatear was in the field for a time before disappearing. A Marsh Harrier was quartering the reed beds; later we were to see another one perched on a tree, this one with a cream-coloured head. We could hear the explosive call of Cetti’s warblers, a number of Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and a few Blackcap. The air was filled with the song on Skylark. Grey Herons were seen flying from one reed bed to another. Walking further on we could hear Reed Warblers singing and then had very good sightings of them singing at the top of the reeds. We also saw three Reed Bunting, their distinctive call was first heard but then spotted at the top of the reeds. A Little Egret spent some time in the triangular field but we were unable to see the Little Ringed Plover although we did see a Lapwing which flew near us to distract us from his nest site or youngsters. Throughout Brading Marsh there were Canada geese with goslings, Mallard with ducklings, Tufted Duck, Coots, a couple of Moorhen, a pair of Shoveler, pair of Teal, pair of Gadwall, two Shelduck on the pools SW of Carpenters Farm as well as Mute Swan on a nest with her mate swimming on the pond, and to the right of the bridge Sedge Warblers could be heard singing and one was spotted. Three Swallow were catching flies on the surface of the pool. We should also mention that there were four Pied Wagtail, 4 Linnet, at least 4 Wren, 5 Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Starling, 4 Swift, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Jackdaw, Crow and Rook, Kestrel and 3 Buzzard. In all 47 species were noted during the morning. Jackie Hart

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