Wetland Birds Count

Paxton Pits along with other wetland reserves carry out a monthly count of the birds on the Pits  (WeBS). Beautiful morning for our December count though difficult for ID etc against the light. The most prominent birds for our route round Rudd, Cloudy and Weedy Lakes were the 40 or so Canada Geese plus this one Canada GooseXGreylag hybrid. Looking it up they appear quite common and very consistent in marking with just the head, neck length and beak revealing the Greylag parentage. All the usual Ducks plus a solitary Grey heron. Couldn't resist photographing the Long-tailed Tit at the end of the walk.

Far Ings Reserve Humberside - Bittern and Friends

It is not often you go to a reserve hoping to see a target species but, yesterday, we were lucky and within a short while of arriving at Far Ings everyone in the Nature Group party had photographed a Bittern as it walked across the reed bed. Otherwise the reserve was fairly quiet but there was enough around to keep my camera happy. 

Rutland Water Walk 2. Other Birds

The variety of birds that we saw at Rutland was great but the viewing distance and photographing into the sun for most shots means they definitely come into the 'for ID and Memories' category only. The Osprey(s) kept us entertained most of the day, soaring and hovering in the distance while Kestrel and Marsh harrier also hunted in the distance plus the usual wetland species.

Slimbridge 3

Last set of images from Slimbridge in the afternoon as the light improved. Pleased to catch a Pied wagtail with fly in mouth - they entertained for most of the time. Lots of pairing going on among the Avocets and the Oystercatchers were mating. Even found a Redpoll among the Goldfinches and Siskin in the Alder cones

Slimbridge Visit 2

We spent our morning at Slimbridge in the hide overlooking South Lake and watched a flock of Black-tailed Godwits, Geese, Ducks and newly arrived Swallows and Sand Martins