The Coronavirus Pandemic has certainly put paid to travelling any distance to go birding. So I’m very fortunate to have Staunton Harold Reservoir, Melbourne Pool and some excellent farmland within a 2km circle of my home. Staunton Harold is just a 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk from home, so well within the “Lockdown Rules” such as they are.
The Great Northern Diver is still to be seen at Staunton Harold and it really is pot luck as to whether or not you drop lucky on it. I’ve been very luck on more than one occasion. Apart from the diver, the reservoir is very quiet bird wise with nothing new in since the diver and the drake Ring-necked Duck. Still around 80ish Great Crested Grebe.
I managed to find a male Kestrel and a Tree Creeper on 16th Jan which takes my Staunton Harold year list to 61 and my National Year List to 72, just recording in my local area.
On the 16th and 17th Jan I managed some good views of the diver, as below:-
Indeed you are extremely fortunate to have good birding close to home. Great images o this scarcity on your local patch….. Lovely