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.

Season is Changing at Paxton

There are definite signs that Spring is on its way at Paxton with the Cormorants in breeding plumage and busy nest building, and the Great Crested Grebes are showing their breeding ruffs. Winter visitors are still with us while immature nonbreeding Cormorants and Herons are sitting around looking very bored. Poor light most of the time for photography.

Very Wet Morning at Wicken

Definitely weather for ducks yesterday morning. This teal took flight during one of the lighter showers but the Mallards did not look happy when the rain was at its heaviest. The Coots are already paired off and showing territorial behaviour. The hundreds of Widgeon on the pools were fairly restless giving lovely atmospheric flight images along with Mallards, Mute Swans and Geese.

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