Back to Brandon...Back to Reality

After a very exciting few days birding last weekend, I thought I would get back to reality and make a long overdue visit to Brandon Marsh again last night.  As I pulled in and entered the code to gain access to the reserve, I was welcomed by a cacophany of bird song that included Reed and Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings, a promising start to the visit.  However, as I approached the Wright Hide, the heavens opened and the weather just closed in for the remaining time I was there.  The cloud cover was so heavy that I could hardly even see that far through my Bins despite it being well before dusk.  So, after an hour or so, I gave up and headed home, not even bothering to wait 15 minutes to see if the Otters would turn up.  A harsh lesson that has fully reminded me that Birding is not always about rushing around seeing the best birds but seeing the day to day species and appreciating them for what they are.  So, highlights of the trip out were a beautiful Green Woodpecker that flew in front of Carlton Hide and a Jay causing lots of alarm calls from small passerines in the wood.