Local Pools

Lawns

At last a bit of sun, all week it’s been murky, cold and windy. So for a brief spell it was most welcome.  A walk around Lawn Pools with the camera saw me total 25 species, including a Buzzard that somehow manoeuvred itself through the dense trees with several gulls in pursuit. Needless to say once into the woods the gulls gave up and flew off above tree top level. Along the banks the Snowdrops were in flower.

Snowdrops

On the bottom pool there were roughly 50 Mallard mostly drakes with about 14 ducks. Also on the water there were 19 Black-headed Gulls with one or two in summer plumage. A pair of Moorhens scurried into the water as I approached and there were at least 3 Coot.  Along the north bank a Wren was busy feeding in amongst the Rhododendrons and Great, Blue and Coal Tits were just about everywhere, with several Great Tits competing for a female.

Jenny Wren

There was no sign of the Heron today and as I made my way up the path towards the top Pool, there was characteristic twittering of Siskins and Goldfinches in the Alders above me.

Looking down at the Lower Pool from the Top Pool

On the top Pool itself there were 10 Mallard (6 drakes and 4 ducks), the resident Mute Swans, a pair of Moorhens and Coot with an injured leg. He was quite tame, coming up close to me before the Swans had other ideas and moved it on.

Resident Mute Swans

Coot with injured leg, being moved on.

A pair of Moorhens on the Top Pool

In the trees overhanging the Pool a number of Black-headed Gulls sat and squabbled before they spotted the Buzzard as it flew low over the water.

Black-headed Gull looking very Tern-like

Also about were Lesser Black-backed Gulls & Herring Gulls overhead, dozens of Woodpigeons, a fly-by Feral Pigeon, a single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpies, Carrion Crow, Jackdaws, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tits and a male Chaffinch singing.

Just one of many Woodpigeons at Lawns today

Liden Lagoon

Not realising the time my visit to Liden Lagoon was very brief. I just managed to capture a pair of Long-tailed Tits drying off, after having been bathing in the margins and that was about it. A quick look across the water revealed a pair Pochards and a lot of screaming gulls, being fed at the far end of the lagoon.

A very bedraggled Long-tailed Tit after its bath.