Cold is the year's understatement. There were still plenty of birds about but they were all concentrated in those parts of the reserve which still had unfrozen water! I was still glad we visited, though:
Fairly sure these are wigeon. I hope I'm slowly getting past the stage of 'it's a duck of some description'!
A sociable robin outside the Visitor Centre.
A pretty dunnock.
This crow thought about landing on the ice to check it out but changed its mind and flew on.
The mallards dominated this part of the reserve, though there were gadwalls, wigeons and teals about.
Testosterone kicks in!
I heard an odd noise off to my left - when I looked, I saw a few brent geese incoming.
Did I say a few?
Spot the non-goose!
This one looked as though it was regretting landing on the ice.
Not to be outdone the wigeons also decide to make a mass landing.
A lovely robin pops up!
That didn't last long. Off they all head again!
The gadwall fails to hide among the other ducks.
The little egret does a flyby.
Shovelers have such beautiful colours.
The friendly neighbourhood marsh harrier appears. It's possibly the closest I've ever seen her come to the hide here!
I love the sunlight on those feathers!
Another mass fly. The greylags this time.
I like seeing wigeons - their colours and markings are so beautiful.
Especially that pattern of feathers at the back.
Two glowing shelducks.
A solitary lapwing.
To finish, a blue tit near the Visitor Centre.
Let's hope it warms up a bit in the near future!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Another lovely set of pics Clare. You are certainly getting out and about a lot lately. I'm making a list of areas around here for when the OH retires, if he ever does!
Kind regards
Jenny
A great range of beautiful coloured ducks and other waterfowl, the shovelers drakes in particular have stunning plumage and what a treat to have a few fly-pasts including the fabulous Marsh Harrier. As for those Mally's ! they do like a good scrap lol nice action shots !
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Regards, Hazel
Sorry Clare, I had posted a message here which should have been on WC thread!
Hope my editing had all worked!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Lovely shot of the Marsh Harrier in the winter sunshine
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Great to see all your pics Clare, Wigeon like that must be good as I agree their colour and markings are lovely. Good flight pic of the Marsh Harrier, and all other Geese and Duck you are getting quite an expert.
Lot to learn
Lovely collection Clare. How did you manage to stay warm?!
Kind regards, Ann