ANOTHER VISIT TO COSSINGTON MEADOWS AND THEN ONTO BRANDON MARSH.

Richard had phoned me on the Thursday morning to ask if it would be alright for us to visit Brandon Marsh in the afternoon instead of visiting Rutland Water, it appears that reasonable numbers of Kingfishers are being seen on site, so what more of an incentive is required. My answer was as your driving its your choice. So  Richard arrived at 12.45 hrs and said, how do you fancy going to Cossington Meadows, the Glossy Ibis is still on Rectory Marsh, we can park just across the road and be with it in five minutes, my initial thoughts were we could waste a lot of time again and miss out on the Brandon Marsh visit, we seem to be getting so many conflicting reports as to where the bird is feeding. So we got on our way to Cossington, parked in the Sports ground car park and within a few minutes went through the gate into the field where sat on the far side of the pool was the Glossy Ibis, we took a few long distance record shots so to be sure we had something before we attempted to get a little closer, the light we found to be awful and were both changing settings to try to get some of the birds coloring. Walking very steadily we crossed on the footpath, stopping and waiting several times so as not to disturb the bird before arriving at the far side of the field. We waited here for a while and took a few more images but the bird kept walking behind the small island it was on, however it eventually came out and then flew almost towards us, it looked as if it was going to pass us by and then turned and landed to the front of us. Unfortunately it was partially hidden by reeds but in time it moved into a clear area where we stood a better chance of an image. After a short time another couple appeared through the gate at the far end of the pool and proceeded towards us, looking through the bins they had obviously seen the Ibis and the gent had a large scope, but they just carried on getting closer to the bird. The gent then walked along the bank carrying his scope with the tripod at the ready until he was close to the bird, put the scope down and of course the bird  flew away, its a miracle it had not gone before, he looked amazed that the bird had gone, what a pair of idiots. The bird landed on the far side of the pool  and buried itself into the reeds.      

After this we headed back to the car park, muttering about the idiot with his scope, a large scope means you have no need to get close. 

We then got underway and headed towards Brandon Marsh, a new area for us both to visit, this was more a scouting visit. The staff on our arrival were very helpful showing us all the best spots for Kingfisher and providing us with a map each. We visited the bulk of the reserve and met up with a few of the locals who all said it was a quite time of the year and again told us the best places to visit later on. One also said it gets very wet near to some of the hides and he at times visits wearing waders. I don't think this will happen with us.

COSSINGTON MEADOWS.
RECTORY MARSH.
13 th October.

Glossy Ibis.

This is the position the bird was in when we first came through the gate and into the field at Rectory Marsh. This is an area of a small island well covered with reeds that the bird kept disappearing into, so we took a few safety images just in case it decided to go AWOL. At this point the bird was about 120 metres away from us.

By this image it had moved into a slightly clearer area so more record shots. We had moved to about 90 metres from the bird also.

It then moved out onto a spur on the island, no closer but made worse by what light we had got being behind the bird so we had white water.  

It then suddenly took off and headed towards us initially, in fact if it had remained on its original course it would have flown over us, it then turned very slightly away. 

And then turned back. 

And then as much as to say, Ahh your over in that direction.  

Turned and headed towards us and landed behind the reeds to the edge of the pool. 

Unfortunately these reeds kept getting in the way, as you can see from the tail of the bird. 

But it did get into a clear area occasionally, here with a dew drop.  

Then a quick preen, so the bird was relaxed and we were causing it no problems. We just stopped in the same position and shot away.

 It then walked to the left a small amount.

Feeding as it made its way around the pools edge. 

It then turned towards us, took one look. 

And turned to the right and started to move away from us. This was when the idiot turned up and walked up towards the bird and it flew away.

Apart from the couple disturbing the bird, this was a most enjoyable time with a really stunning bird. Just a shame the light was not better.

BRANDON MARSH.

13th October.  

After the poor light at Cossington Meadows, by the time we arrived at Brandon Marsh, the sun was shining but the wind had got up. We spent most of the time on site having a walk about.

Pair of Mute Swans with five Juveniles. Jon Baldwin Hide. East Marsh Pool.

 These suddenly appeared from under the trees on the far side of the pool. 

Adult Male leading the line.  

Female Shoveler Duck heading towards the hide.  

Male Shoveler Duck, East Marsh Hide. 

Unknown Flower with Unknown Fly. Between East Marsh Hide and Carlton Hide.

I have no idea at all to the flower but it was only about 12 mm across so as you can see the fly is very small but also appears to be unusual with the flat back. 

Grey Heron landing. Teal Pool Hide.

This bird suddenly flew in out of the sun so difficult to get a decent image.




Thank you for your visit, I hope you have enjoyed the images as much as I did in the getting of them.  .