Flooded Lagoon

Back to Liden Lagoon today and what a difference a few days make. The heavy rains have flooded the paths on both the south and west bank, making it impassable unless you've got wellies.

Not that it bothers the wildfowl, in fact there was a Little Grebe close to the hedgerow. Unfortunately I spooked it as I came around the corner. I don't know who was more surprised me or the grebe, as it scurried across the water, avoiding the beaks of the Herring Gulls in the middle of the lagoon.

Also on the water my first Common Gull of the year and what appears to be just the one Great Crested Grebe. Also my highest count of Moorhens here with 21 recorded.

The resident cob is still pursuing the interloper, whilst the juveniles were high up on the bank grazing on the grass alongside the Canada Geese.

The Tufted Duck are back with at least 20 counted and the 3 pairs of Gadwall still remain.

Around the waters edge there were a 20 Goldfinch and 15 Siskins in the alders, until a Sparrowhawk flew in and they all headed off west over the estate.

Here are a few images from today.............

The flooded path to the south of the lagoon

The path on the west bath. Only passable with wellies

Footpath liable to flooding

The interloper avoids the resident Swans.

One of the 3 pairs of Gadwall still present on the water. Note the white speculum and chestnut and black portions on the wing coverts of the drake.

Just the one Great Crested Grebe present. There were two, but Ive not seen the other one for a few weeks now.

The Little Grebe makes his escape......

.....though diving down and popping up next to a Herring Gull, probably isn't the wisest choice to make!

The Herring Gull has a think about it and then decides not to pursue the Little Grebe!

Two adult Herring Gulls

Same pair again

Two adult Herring Gulls again, with the bird in front a different individual.

As above

Left to right - 1st winter, adult, 1st winter and 2nd winter

Left to right - All 1st winter apart from centre back - adult and front right 2nd winter.

A Common Gull in amongst the Tufted Duck

Same bird

and again

One of  the 25 Goldfinches around the lagoon

Birds Recorded: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Mute Swan (Resident pair, 1 cob, 3 juveniles), 20+ Canada Goose, Mallard, 6 Gadwall (3 pairs), 20+ Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 21 Moorhen, 8 Coot, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 10 Herring Gull, 1 Common Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, 1 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Jackdaw, 8 Starling, House Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 15 Siskin and 20 Goldfinch.