Slimbridge

21st January.Having relations at Dursley in Gloucestershire is handy for me to go to nearby Slimbridge WWT for a day while Joyce and her sister go shopping somewhere. So on a cloudy with some sunny spells Thursday I headed off for the reserve, largely ignoring the collections of wildfowl and heading out for the hides to look to see what wild birds were around. Good numbers of Bewick's Swans were in and I got some nice shots of some standing on the ice with reflections. Also a pair of Scaup and a few White Fronted Geese (with five of the Greenland race alongside them). On the South Lake a free flying Ruddy Shelduck was present. apparently not from the collection but these are always considered an escapee.I always enjoy a day here and if I get a few decent shots than that's a bonus.

Adult and two young Bewick's Swans on the ice

Bewick's Swan preening

Bewick's Swan

Bewick's Swan

Bewick's in flight

Female Pintail

Sparring Moorhens

Ruddy Shelduck

Ruddy Shelduck

White Fronted Geese( and I think the two back Geese may be of the Greenland race?)

The classic Goldfinch on Teasel shot

Long Tailed Tit

Willow Tit

16th January
Found  what may hopefully will be a reliable site for Willow Tit at Roadford Lake, and a delightful little bird, calling and showing well at times As its so close to home will visit regularly and add more photos.

Willow Tit

Penzance & Marazion

13th January
Arrived in Marazion early morning in the hope of finding the Hudsonian Whimbrel which has been around the local area in recent weeks and then to look for the returning Pacific Diver, both these birds would be lifers for me although I did think I found a possible Hudsonian Whimbrel a few years ago down near Treen, and I try to locate the Diver every winter but with no luck as yet ,and no different this year no sign of either bird, just got soaked through when caught in a very heavy rain/hail downpour with only a rock to shelter behind and more concerned about keeping my camera and lens dry than myself. However I did have a good day out and got a few photos as well.

Oystercatcher at Marazion

Ringed Plover and Purple Sandpiper at Penzance

Purple Sandpiper-Penzance

Purple Sandpiper bathing at Penzance

Great Northern Diver in Newlyn Harbour

St Michaels Mount from Sandy Cove

American Wigeon

12th January
I spent the best part of the day around the Topsham area of the Exe Estuary in Devon to look for the American Wigeon which has been mixing with its European cousins. On entering the hide at Bowling Green Marsh there were a couple of birders already onto it as it was showing very well close in. I took a few shots and then went outside where I knew there was a gap in the hedge where I found the bird showing even closer allowing for some better photos. I also found a Brambling at nearby Darts farm.

American Wigeon

American Wigeon

American Wigeon

American Wigeon

American Wigeon

Out for a Duck

I spent the morning of 6th January watching a female Smew at Siblyback resevior in East Cornwall, it remained a little bit distant for any decent photographs, but I took quite a few record shots anyway as it dived and caught small fish. Always nice to catch up with one of these scarce ducks, ( a male would be nice). In the afternoon I drove over to Dozmary pool for the Lesser Scaup which has returned for another winter, as expected it was on the far side of the lake, but I did manage to get a little closer by approaching from the far bank, where I had better views and got a few shots as the light started to go and the rain started to come in.

Female Smew

Female Smew

Lesser Scaup with Tufted Ducks