Goldeneye

I carried out my WeBS count recently at Redesmere lake and it was good to see the first returning pair of Goldeneye of the winter. It's nice to see the birds returning, especially as we have now lost all our summer migrants. The lakes will be filling up with larger numbers and varying species of geese. Hopefully I will get to see some of the rarer ones this year. 

In the meantime, I am happy enough watching the Goldeneye out in the deeper sections of the water.

Very good looking male.

Male and female here.

A male Tufted Duck here, not to be confused with the male Goldeneye.

And  a female Tufted Duck.

Snipes Pool

Snipes Pool is more often than not 'quiet' whenever I stop to have a look at it when I am in Norfolk. Barring the usual Little Egrets, Mallard and Tufted Duck it has always seemed a little disappointing. This doesn't stop me looking every time, because you just never know.

A few weeks back I did my usual early morning pull in, in hope more than expectation. I was not disappointed on this occasion with a good few waders on it and some interesting birds in the trees around it.

A couple of Green Sandpipers were in amongst the cut reeds.

A nice juvenile Ruff

This Lesser Whitethroat was a nice surprise, just a shame it was so gloomy. Nice to watch through the binoculars at close quarters all the same.

A very obliging Water Rail stayed out in view for a few minutes, which is better than the few seconds you normally get, if you're lucky.

Three Common Sandpipers were also around.

Hoopoe - Collingham

 A visit to Yorkshire where a very obliging Hoopoe had been for a good week was too good an opportunity to turn down. It had been frequenting a cricket pitch and was said to have been giving very good views. Sometimes when you hear the words 'showing well' it can still be at some considerable distance and require a scope for the best views. On this occasion, binoculars were not even required. The bird was coming to within four or five feet of the assembled birders, many lying on the ground to get even closer. It was fantastic to watch this bird dig in the ground and time after time bring up a grub or lavae of some sort. It would then bash it with it's bill before tossing it in the air like a pancake to catch and swallow whole. Just the most amazing bird and a lifer for me. I won't forget spending time with this beautiful bird.

Kestrel

 On one of my many Spring lockdown walks (when we could actually drive to somewhere for a walk) I found a pair of Kestrels. I stayed watching from my vantage point for a good 45 minutes, as they hunted the slopes neat Macclesfield Forest. The light was perfect and the sun was warm, so I just let them go about their business and every now and again, they'd venture close enough to let me take a few shots. Fascinating to watch them hover and keep that head dead still, constantly focusing on their prey.