Friday, 22 January 2021

Redesmere Lake, Siddington

These pictures were all taken just after the new year, when we were still allowed out and prior to the latest lockdown. 

Redesmere lake, just a short drive from home, is where I have spent a lot of time over the last 18 months or so. Since taking on the monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count here for the BTO I have found myself gravitating to it more and more. It is a large lake, about half a mile in length and is surrounded by woodland. This attracts some good birds all year round, with winter thrushes, Siskin and Redpoll, while in the summer I have had Spotted Flycatchers as the stars of the show.

The water itself also brings in some great wildfowl and geese. Last year I found 3 Greenland White fronted Geese and on the 1st of January this year I found 25 Whooper Swans on it. Add to this, Smew, Great White Egret and Red Crested Pochard, it has really turned out to be a surprising bit of water. I feel it is rather under-watched, so I am trying to visit more, as I am sure lots comes and goes unnoticed.

Here are a few of my sightings in early January.

Male Chaffinch in very poor light.


Female Chaffinch

Goldcrest with that rather sad looking downturned moustache.

These little guys do not stop still for a second, but fascinating to watch.

Greylag Geese on the march in the snow.

One of four Lesser Redpoll. These small birds don't hang about either.

Quite a few Redwings around, now down to the leaf litter having devoured all the berries.

I'd never really noticed how elegant they are from behind. A stunning winter thrush.


at

21 comments:

  1. Conehead5423 January 2021 at 06:48

    Sounds like you have a great WeBS patch. We were blessed with good numbers of Russian Whitefronts in & around London about a month ago- a handful even turning up in busy central parks!

    Stunning Redwing shots!

    ReplyDelete
  2. eileeninmd23 January 2021 at 11:37

    Hello,

    Wonderful sightings! The Chaffinch is a beautiful bird, I also love the cute Goldcrest and the Geese. The Redwing is a lovely bird, I like it's markings. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Breathtaking23 January 2021 at 14:02

    Hello, Some delightful captures. I enjoyed your post, and all your bird sightings especially the photos of the Goldcrest, such a sweet little bird, and so difficult to photograph. The Redwings are beautiful too. The weather has been cold and rainy every day, skies dull, and difficult to photograph anything. You did very well to capture these birds. The lake seems like the ideal place to see wild life.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jeanie23 January 2021 at 14:47

    I can see why you are called back to this spot, Adam. It looks lovely and with a wonderful selection of birds.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Debbie23 January 2021 at 19:01

    such sweet little birds...what a joy it must have been to see and photograph them!! i am sorry to hear you are on complete lockdown, going for a ride to a lake seen harmless enough!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tom23 January 2021 at 20:08

    ...the Goldcrest is lovely little thing that I'm not familiar with, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Klara S23 January 2021 at 20:40

    Interesting picture of goldcrest.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ~Lavender Dreamer~23 January 2021 at 21:45

    Is he sad...or mad! heehee! Love the birds you share....birds we don't see here in Florida. Have a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  9. David M. Gascoigne,23 January 2021 at 22:19

    A fine series of images, Adam. You did well to capture the Goldcrest and I am especially envious of the Redwing, a thrush I have never seen.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jean23 January 2021 at 23:15

    The goldcrest does look as if it would be very fun to watch. The winter thrush looks a bit like our robins from behind. Hope the lockdown ends soon.

    ReplyDelete
  11. RedPat24 January 2021 at 01:01

    Love the wee Goldcrest. That thrush has quite a resemblance to our Robin if it had more red.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Linda24 January 2021 at 06:42

    I enjoy your pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anni 24 January 2021 at 09:22

    With the likes of seeing these and so many other species throughout the seasons, I can understand you wanting to return frequently! Once, again, a wonderful series. (Yes, the expression on it does look sad)

    Thanks so much for sharing this at IRBB this week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Taken For Granted25 January 2021 at 15:24

    Wonderful bird photos. Always good to see birds from another part of the world. Conrad Lorenz developed a major study of how learning occurs studying the Graylag Geese.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Carol @Comfort Spring Station25 January 2021 at 19:45

    the little fellows you photograph are always so cute

    ReplyDelete
  16. Villrose25 January 2021 at 21:51

    Oh! "Bird King" we call these fast little cuties.

    ReplyDelete
  17. NCSue25 January 2021 at 22:52

    Some of these little guys are positively adorable! Great shots!
    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-rest-of-indoor-herb-garden.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. Angie26 January 2021 at 04:35

    Adam - so glad to have you join Mosaic Monday - I love birding blogs! If you want to continue to link up, please be sure to include at least one mosaic in your post! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  19. John's Island28 January 2021 at 17:49

    You have some excellent birding photos. Congrats on the very nice work and thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Irma1 February 2021 at 08:16

    Beautiful series of photos Adam.
    Photos 2 and 4 are my favorite.
    Nice new week, watch out and stay healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jeanne4 February 2021 at 02:57

    Great photos! I added bird feeders to my house in 2020 due to pandemic boredom. Birds are fun to watch but so hard to get good photos of!

    ReplyDelete

I enjoy reading your comments as much as I enjoy taking the pictures. Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post.