Coot and Gull Behaviour in Changeable Weather

After all the recent bright sunny weather, yesterday saw a change and so my visit to St Albans to photograph Coots had intervals of sunshine, heavy cloud and even some rain at the end of the morning. In the duller conditions, it was impossible to portray the Coot's red eye. The Coots were fairly active with lots of chasing but only one fight and that during a rainstorm. There were lots of Black-Headed Gulls in the process of moulting from winter to summer plumage and often displaying their kleptoparasitc behaviour  towards the Coots waiting around to pinch any food that they brought up from the bottom. The gulls eat different food from the coots – gulls are carnivorous generally etc whereas the coots are mostly vegetarian,  so, presumably, the gulls aren’t actually stealing food the other birds would eat themselves.

 

 

 

RPS Visit to Wicken Fen

Unlike my usual luck when arranging Nature Outings for the RPS, the weather remained fine and warm on Sunday and the Short-Eared Owls behaved and appeared on cue on Burwell Fen. I missed the best shots of the day when one SEO camer very close as the Highland Cattle were between me and the owl!! We also enjoyed great view of Yellow Hammer, Stonechat and Reed Buntings who were displaying well.

Wicken Fen - To Camouflage or Not

 Our two visits to Wicken recently have been in bright sunny weather with wonderful reflections. I enjoyed photographing the various ducks and water birds - the female Shoveller is wonderfully camouflaged in the reeds while the males stand out more. In the Gadwall, both sexes are well camouflaged (male shown). Coots will be obvious wherever they are perhaps related to the fact they are very territorial. Last two photos are of the noisiest species present during our water watching - the Little Grebes who were calling continuously and doing quite a lot of fighting and displays.

Welney - Swans at Sunset and Floodlit

We were hoping for a colourful sunset at Welney yesterday but a bank of clouds dulled the colours. However, there were still enough colour to giver interesting images and after the floodlights went on, the water took on a deep blue hue.

Welney Wildfowl Trust

The sunny weather continued for our visit to Welney. The bright light certainly showed off the plumage of the ducks well including Mallard (feeding, preening and mating), Tufted, Pochard and an escapee Collared Teal. Swans (to follow) were more difficult until the light levels dropped.

Short-Eared Owls on Burwell Fen

We wondered what the Owls made of the unseasonably warm sunshine yesterday - they certainly weren't put off hunting on a beautiful golden evening. A Kestrel waited around hoping to steal any catch and a grumpy heron sat among the Konig ponies.