Not to be beaten by a bit of wind and rain I headed off to Liden Lagoon and then to the Business Centre at Lotmead Farm to have a look around there. Well it is on my doorstep and there's always something to see there.
First stop was Liden Lagoon and despite the heavy rain over the past few days, the pool wasn't as flooded as I had expected it to be. There was certainly some colour to it as the mud from the fields passed through the lagoon and out at the northeast end.
No surprises here. Just one of a few trees that have either split or fallen today from the strong gusts.
I don't know who was more surprised me or the Great Crested Grebe as it popped up right in front of me.
The interloper has a stretch, probably getting in shape for its next round with the resident Mute Swans.
And this Grey Heron is finding it really tough as it leans into the wind. Eventually it gives up.............
Now Coots aren't renowned for getting too close to humans. In fact most scatter if you get anywhere near them. However this individual walked along the path. Stopped, looked up at me...............
......and just carried on by. It must have been the camouflaged jacket I was wearing. Either that or my black Wellington boots. Surely it didn't think my boots were another Coot!! I think we'll leave it that.....
My next port of call was Lotmead Farm Business park and a quick look at the pool. Talk about flooded, but to my surprise there were 7 Teal, 2 Mallard, 2 Coot, 1 Moorhen and a pair of Little Grebe riding the waves. So not a bad result at all.
Birds Recorded: 2 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan (1 adult and juv), pair of Mallard, 7 Teal (4m, 3f), 1 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 3 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 3 Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, 25 House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch
Now this is really odd. Both drake Teal, but look at the difference in size. However this is not unusual and certainly in Teal, there size can vary by 11cm (4in) or so.
Same bird in the foreground, really tiny. The duck in the centre is a female Mallard with 3 more Teal at the back.
First stop was Liden Lagoon and despite the heavy rain over the past few days, the pool wasn't as flooded as I had expected it to be. There was certainly some colour to it as the mud from the fields passed through the lagoon and out at the northeast end.
Birds Recorded: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan (2 resident, 1 cob, 3 juv), Canada Geese, Mallard, 7 Gadwall (4m, 3f), 53 Tufted Duck (not sexed), 1 drake Pochard, Moorhen, Coot, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow and 3 Goldfinch
Here are a few images from the Lagoon this morning:
Here are a few images from the Lagoon this morning:
Just one click of the camera shutter and a record shot of a Little Grebe!
The drake Pochard....
.......poses for the camera........
.....and then gets a bit ruffled by the wind!
Not even a stretch of the wings for this Cormorant as it braces itself against the elements.
............and flies off. No doubt looking for somewhere windy.
My next port of call was Lotmead Farm Business park and a quick look at the pool. Talk about flooded, but to my surprise there were 7 Teal, 2 Mallard, 2 Coot, 1 Moorhen and a pair of Little Grebe riding the waves. So not a bad result at all.
A Little Grebe
Same bird.
and the 2nd bird
Quite cute.....
A pair of Teal
And its lift off. I don't think the drake on the right was expecting the pair in front to take off!