The Close Season

It was eerily quiet at Coate Water this afternoon.  What with the statutory coarse fish close season starting today, the Lake was very quiet indeed. The close season actually only applies to rivers, streams and drains in England and Wales, and to some canals and a few stillwaters, Coate Water being one those stillwaters. In fact it wasn't just the anglers missing, but a large proportion of the wildfowl. The 14 Mute Swans are now just 2 adults and 2 juveniles, and the Canada Geese, were for some reason all on the small pond just beyond the kiosk on the right. Also on the pond were several Tufted Duck and the drake Pochard.

30+ Canada on the small pond to the side of Coate Water

Back on the lake there were still plenty of Mallard and the pair of Aylesbury Ducks are still present. The number of gulls hasn't changed since my last visit, however there are many more Black-headed Gulls in summer plumage.

Mallard (Female)

The Aylesbury ducks in amongst the Mallard and Black-headed Gulls

Juvenile Black-headed Gull in flight and an adult in summer plumage on the water.

Further out into the lake were quite a few Tufted Duck and a few larger gulls, mainly juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 3rd winter Herring Gulls. A quick glance to my right and I was lucky enough to see a flash of blue as a Kingfisher sped across the water.

3rd winter Herring Gull

In the background a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull and in the foreground a Kingfisher.

Unfortunately my stay at Coate was curtailed by the rain, which started off light but eventually was to heavy for me to stay any longer. However there were a good number of species around and birds recorded were: Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Mallard, Aylesbury Duck (feral), Tufted Duck, Pochard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Chaffinch.