Paxton Cormorants and Ducks

The cormorants already have the white patch on the body under the wing showing they are ready for breeding. Lots of Wigeon around pestering the Coots as they dived for food (kleptoparasitism). Also Tufted Ducks including one with a very snazzy beak 'Ring'  LVC3 I think

New Year's Day at Paxton Pits

The New Year's Day Birdwatch at Paxton recorded 43 species which is about our usual for January. The Coots are definitely setting up their territories and so glad I was under the flight path of the cormorant! I also recorded any flowers in bloom - total of seven species. Very poor light in the afternoon when these were taken

Paxton Winter Water Birds

Thursday morning was dull with showers but it brightened in the afternoon so I took my camera out to see what wildfowl are around - pleased to see Goldeneye, Shoveller and Little Grebe. It was very windy so the water was choppy.

Paxton Pits Afternoon walk

Yesterday morning was too wet to do outside work at Paxton Pits so we were undercover putting nest boxes together. In the afternoon, the rain stopped and clouds cleared to give beautiful light for a walk around the reserve. There are hundreds of Gadwall and Widgeon on the Lakes at the moment together with resident Cormorants, Swans and Gulls which provided plenty of activity to photograph. The flies are still active with three species of hoverfly in one small patch together with a Sarcophagid fly on a toadstool.

Peregrine St Albans Cathedral

Great to record the Peregrine falcon hopefully nesting on St Albans Cathedral - rather distant but unmistakable! The lakeside birds are all getting ready for breeding with many squabbles and displays.