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Sunday, 27 December 2015

The Chase Continues

I paid a quick visit to Liden Lagoon this afternoon to see if the resident Mute Swans had managed to chase of the interloper. And the answer is no, the resident cob is still giving chase and at times able to get the unwelcome visitor airborne, albeit for a few metres. This looks like its going to take awhile.

The resident cob gives chase, as the interloper takes to the air.

He's certainly being stubborn and immediately lands, much to the annoyance of the resident pair.
Something else I wasn't expecting to see is the continuing "friendship" of the Coot, Black-headed Gull and female Gadwall. For at least 3 days now the Coot has been bringing weed etc. to the surface and the "same" Black-headed Gull and female Gadwall have been benefiting with titbits the Coot is providing.

And the "friendship" continues as these three seem to be enjoying each others company.
Quite a few large gulls here today with 10 Herring Gulls and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull. I didn't see the Shoveler, if they were here, as I only walked a short way down the path on the west bank, as there was heavy drizzle coming down. Still a few Tufted Duck, Mallard and Canada Geese, and I saw 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Black-headed Gull to the rear and a Herring Gull which I think is more likely to be 1st-winter progressing towards 1st-summer plumage.

The other way round the 1st-winter progressing towards 1st-summer plumage Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull.

1st-winter progressing towards 1st-summer plumage Herring Gull

From L to R an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1st-winter progressing towards 1st-summer plumage Herring Gull and an adult Herring Gull.

L to R adult Herring Gull and 3rd winter Herring Gull

Spot the difference with these 3 Tufted Ducks, from back to front a 1st winter drake, and adult drake and a female.

Birds Recorded: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan (2 resident, 1 adult, 1 juv), Canada Geese, Mallard, 1 Gadwall (f), Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, 10 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Also 1 Grey Squirrel