WWT and Gloucestershire sightings 5 February 2006
See the Photos for Latest images of Tundra Bean Geese and Snow Buntings from Norfolk, Note the Pink-footed Goose. On Birdguides recently the flock has been reported as eight Tundra Bean but there were seven and the Pink-footed when we visited. Also some extra pictures of WWT Slimbridge 2005 rarities have been added.
5 February 2006 A great day at WWT. I (MJM) lead the Breakfast with the Birds event walk from 0630 and we kicked off with a calling Tawny Owl in the Decoy. After a quick look at the Bewick's Swan roost (243) we made for South Lake where we watched the 780 E White-fronted Geese leave the roost. Over 1200 corvids (Rook and Jackdaw) also left their roost. We had a look at the first winter male Greater Scaup on the European enclosure pond. The South Lake held two Ruff and a Black-tailed Godwit. A Common Snipe ringing session later in the morning also gave us the opportunity to see 10 Jack Snipe. We also discovered another two female Greater Scaup each one flew off with Tufted Ducks, one flock went off towards Frampton. One appeared to have quite a strong clear white facial patch, possibly adult, the other more diffused and scruffy so we thought first winter. We also saw a Bittern on the ice but it crept off into the reeds. Two Little Grebe were a good midwinter sighting.
We topped up the winter feeding station and saw the female Merlin nearby, six Bullfinch, 12 Redwing as well as 19 Redshank on the river. On returning to the centre we had a look at the female Smew on South Lake. Over lunch the geese were brilliant with nearly the whole flock visiting the Tack Piece to drink bringing the single first winter Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Geese with them. A Peregrine was keeping a watch from the Turkey Oaks. On the Rushy the sun came out, the first time for while locally and the Ferruginous hybrid was present with the aythya duck. MJMcGill and JSLees.
After work I popped in to Townfield Lake (Frampton Sailing Lake) where I relocated the first winter female Greater Scaup, five female Goldeneye, c35 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 3 Little Grebe, 12 GCGrebe and 180 Coot were feeding. Unfortunately a guy was out on a small boat and pushing them around the lake. MJ McGill.
5 February 2006 A great day at WWT. I (MJM) lead the Breakfast with the Birds event walk from 0630 and we kicked off with a calling Tawny Owl in the Decoy. After a quick look at the Bewick's Swan roost (243) we made for South Lake where we watched the 780 E White-fronted Geese leave the roost. Over 1200 corvids (Rook and Jackdaw) also left their roost. We had a look at the first winter male Greater Scaup on the European enclosure pond. The South Lake held two Ruff and a Black-tailed Godwit. A Common Snipe ringing session later in the morning also gave us the opportunity to see 10 Jack Snipe. We also discovered another two female Greater Scaup each one flew off with Tufted Ducks, one flock went off towards Frampton. One appeared to have quite a strong clear white facial patch, possibly adult, the other more diffused and scruffy so we thought first winter. We also saw a Bittern on the ice but it crept off into the reeds. Two Little Grebe were a good midwinter sighting.
We topped up the winter feeding station and saw the female Merlin nearby, six Bullfinch, 12 Redwing as well as 19 Redshank on the river. On returning to the centre we had a look at the female Smew on South Lake. Over lunch the geese were brilliant with nearly the whole flock visiting the Tack Piece to drink bringing the single first winter Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Geese with them. A Peregrine was keeping a watch from the Turkey Oaks. On the Rushy the sun came out, the first time for while locally and the Ferruginous hybrid was present with the aythya duck. MJMcGill and JSLees.
After work I popped in to Townfield Lake (Frampton Sailing Lake) where I relocated the first winter female Greater Scaup, five female Goldeneye, c35 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 3 Little Grebe, 12 GCGrebe and 180 Coot were feeding. Unfortunately a guy was out on a small boat and pushing them around the lake. MJ McGill.
posted by Anser Team at Sunday, February 05, 2006
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