Took advantage today of some sunshine to take a long promised trip to the WWT at Welney to see the swan feeds. Unfortunately only the main observation hide was open as there is still a lot of ice about (we are Ice Free in Lode!) so we couldn't have a good wander.
Most of the whoopers were further up along the river where the beet was harvested later but there were enough about in daylight for a few pics. Plenty of mutes too. The real stars were the pochard - making the water "boil" with their frantic diving when the feeding started. Mallard and a few tufted duck also joined in , along with some coot.
Pintail, gadwall, widgeon and other kept a discrete distance (no pics!)
There may be a thaw on, but believe me the heated observation hide was very welcome.
Air Traffic Control were busy with flights in and out ..
Swans were discussing the relative benefits of migration before going on duty ..
The pochards hung around like a football crowd (nearly all male!) ..
While the tufted ducks were obviously the away crowd (outnumbered but hopeful!)
The swans moved amongst the throng with an air of authority ..
Then someone threw some grain and it all kicked off .. what a kerfuffle ..
But order was restored eventually ..
and calm returned (so we left!)
Hi.Those are fantastic pictures fittmonk. Sounds and looks like a great day out. Just one question though. What was the final score between the Pochards and the Tufted Ducks? ;-)Paul.
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Wow! That is a brilliant set of photos Fittmonk. It must have been a wonderful sight when someone threw the grain to them. Thanks for sharing your day with us.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Lovely sequence of photos and good description of what sounded like an enjoyable day out.
Thanks for sharing.
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Tony
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Heron77 said: Hi.Those are fantastic pictures fittmonk. Sounds and looks like a great day out. Just one question though. What was the final score between the Pochards and the Tufted Ducks? ;-)Paul.
An absolute landslide - if you can have a landslide on water!!
Now a match up between pochard & mallard would be much closer - they both seem like a bolshie bunch of lads (emphasis on lads - about 20-1 drake to duck). The pochard kept nipping in and giving the swans a little nudge up the tail feathers. Mallards were just fighting among themselves (as usual).
Laurence
Sounds like a great day out, recorded by a terrific series of photographs. Thank you.
Excellent pics! What a fab day out!
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What a great day out, and fantastic sequence of photos. Thanks.
Cheers, Linda.
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