Monday 15th December: Goosander, Spotted Redshank & Bewick's Swan!
This morning overcast but calm and comparatively mild.
The floods were even more lake-like this morning with hardly any grass visible and the waters now extending up towards the north end of Burgess Field NR. I only had my bins with me and so couldn't make out much but three red-head GOOSANDER were on the water at the south end, not doubt fooled by the size of the water into thinking that there might be more fishing opportunities than there actually will be. The usual ducks were around at the north end.
In Burgess Field NR I went looking for jack snipe but only managed 4 common SNIPE. There was also a rather nice goldcrest at the north end.
Late afternoon Update: viewing from the west bank of the river close to the Perch, across to the floods, a great session was had. Despite very poor light, close views of a cracking SPOTTED REDSHANK on the one remaining section of grass. This by no means common wader is another year tick for the Meadow. It was accompanied by 26 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS and 5 RUFF. In the distance 1 REDSHANK was seen; there were probably more of these and also more ruff along the north shore which couldn't easily be seen from my viewing point. A few distant DUNLIN were also seen in flight. In the distance in the middle of the flood were two BEWICKS SWANS. To round of a great selection of birds, in the gull roost were two probable YELLOW LEGGED GULLS.
The spotted redshank, taken in abysmal light with ISO 800. © Adam Hartley
Below is some video footage of the spotted redshank feeding. To view in high quality mode, click here and select "Watch in High Quality Mode".
The spotted redshank feeding on the floods
I also took some video of the two Bewick's Swans but the birds are very distant and the light is very poor so I recommend viewing it only in high quality mode. Go to here and select "Watch in High Quality". My apologies for the poor focusing at the start but the light was so bad that it was not easy to see when it was in focus.
The floods were even more lake-like this morning with hardly any grass visible and the waters now extending up towards the north end of Burgess Field NR. I only had my bins with me and so couldn't make out much but three red-head GOOSANDER were on the water at the south end, not doubt fooled by the size of the water into thinking that there might be more fishing opportunities than there actually will be. The usual ducks were around at the north end.
In Burgess Field NR I went looking for jack snipe but only managed 4 common SNIPE. There was also a rather nice goldcrest at the north end.
Late afternoon Update: viewing from the west bank of the river close to the Perch, across to the floods, a great session was had. Despite very poor light, close views of a cracking SPOTTED REDSHANK on the one remaining section of grass. This by no means common wader is another year tick for the Meadow. It was accompanied by 26 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS and 5 RUFF. In the distance 1 REDSHANK was seen; there were probably more of these and also more ruff along the north shore which couldn't easily be seen from my viewing point. A few distant DUNLIN were also seen in flight. In the distance in the middle of the flood were two BEWICKS SWANS. To round of a great selection of birds, in the gull roost were two probable YELLOW LEGGED GULLS.
The spotted redshank, taken in abysmal light with ISO 800. © Adam HartleyBelow is some video footage of the spotted redshank feeding. To view in high quality mode, click here and select "Watch in High Quality Mode".
The spotted redshank feeding on the floods
I also took some video of the two Bewick's Swans but the birds are very distant and the light is very poor so I recommend viewing it only in high quality mode. Go to here and select "Watch in High Quality". My apologies for the poor focusing at the start but the light was so bad that it was not easy to see when it was in focus.