Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve

B and I paid a visit to Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve earlier this week. It is the headquarters of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and the south part of the reserve covers 220 acres with 10 main pools and over 230 species of bird recorded. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) The range of habitats includes open water, streams, reedbeds, grassland, wetland and woodland.

Sir David Attenborough opened the Centre some years ago and D and E who were then little queued to get his autograph and he was so very kind to them.

Memorial Tree

We walked through Hope Wood onto the main part of the reserve.

We then took a path that wends its way round the back of Grebe Pool.

At regular intervals along the path were wood carvings which I haven't seen before.

We then took the path into New Hare Covert

A glimpse of Swallow Pool.

Many of the robins at Brandon Marsh are very tame and this one was no exception.

Coming out of the woodland the path continues with the reserve to one side and a golf course on the other.

Alban's Reedbed

We stopped a while in Wright Hide which overlooks East Marsh Pool. Here we saw Tufted Duck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Black-Headed Gull, Coot, Shelduck, Lapwing, Moorhen and Teal.

Ryton on Dunsmore church in the distance.

Leaving the hide we came across a larged mixed flock which included Goldfinches, Chaffinches and Lesser Redpoll feeding on alder cones. Other people who were watching them also spotted a Siskin and Greenfinch.

Mute Swans on Grebe Pool

As time was getting on we decided not to take the path which continues around East Marsh Pool where there are 4 hides but instead continued to walk by Goose Pool.

This area of the reserve is quite primeval and "swampy".

We then took the path through Horsetail glade. Many years ago at a similar time of year I once saw a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - one of only three I have seen since my mid twenties. The other two were at Ladywalk NR and at a wood near Fillongley which ever since we have called "Woodpecker Wood".

We then made our way back to the visitor centre.


Alder Cones and Catkins - I also saw male and female flowers on Hazel but my photo was blurred :( B was hurrying me along and muttering about why I always had to take a camera with me and stopping constantly to take photos so I didn't have chance to try and take better pictures!

We did stop off in the tearoom for a cup of tea and cake! I had a piece of a raspberry crumble shortbread which really I shouldn't have (cholosterol!!!) but my excuse was they had stopped serving lunches and cake was all that was available!!!!!!


Map of Brandon Marsh

The reserve has now been massively extended on the other side of Brandon Lane to include Brandon Reach and Piles Coppice so I picked up a map of this area as Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is still developing paths. It looks a good place to explore in the future. It is a mosaic of grassland, scrub, early successional woodland and a mature ancient wood.

A total of 28 species of bird were seen including 13 new for the 2020 year list :)



Last time we visited in Autumn 2018 and we said then we must visit more regularly which sadly we failed to do. This year another resolution to try and go each month.


All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330

Brandon Marsh NR

It was such a lovely autumnal day on Wednesday that B and I decided to visit Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve. Unfortunately we left later than intended (B made the mistake of ringing an ex-work colleague he hadn't seen for years and was on the phone for 2 hours!) and then, due to roadworks the M6 South was very congested resulting in the journey taking us half an hour longer than usual! So we didn't spend as long on the reserve as planned and it also meant that when we got back from our walk the tearoom was closed so no cake! We did, however, spend a relaxing and peaceful 2 hours wandering round this lovely reserve which is my favourite.

Brandon Marsh is the headquarters of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and the reserve covers 228 acres with 10 main pools and over 230 bird species seen. The range of habitats includes open water, reedbeds, wetland, grassland and woodland.




Mosaics in the Sensory Garden

We walked onto the reserve through Hope Wood and then took the path by the pump that leads around Grebe Pool

Teasels

In New Hare Covert we watched a Nuthatch for about 10 minutes - sorry no pictures - it was too fast for me zipping from tree to tree and up and down tree trunks.

My toadstool id skills are woeful although it looks like one of the bracket fungi but really have no idea which one!

By the path that skirts Swallow Pool with a golf course on the other side where we spotted a Small Copper butterfly.

Newlands Reedbed

Swallow Pool with Mute Swans. Whenever I walk past this pool I remember the occasion when I watched a Kingfisher going in and out of its nesting cavity on a sandy bank some years ago.

East Marsh Pool from Wright Hide - into the sun so it was difficult to check bird species

More fungi

We just had time to visit one more hide so took the path

that leads to the Jon Baldwin hide so we could view East Marsh Pool without the sun being in our eyes.

Greater Reedmace

East Marsh pool where we stayed awhile watching Mallard, Grey Heron, Teal, Shoveler, Cormorants, Lapwings and Coots.

Artificial Sand Martin nesting banks

We saw several flowers while walking round - Dandelion, Herb Robert, Ragwort, Yarrow and

White Dead-Nettle

and Red Campion

Bramble flowers and Blackberries (most have now "gone over")

Hips are forming

Goose Pool

This year's Alder cones forming

Finally, back at the Visitor Centre

Pied Wagtail

Although we didn't spend as long there as we had hoped we had a lovely walk and there is always plenty of wildlife to see on the Reserve which is usually surprisingly quiet people-wise :)


All photos taken by me with the Pansonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera