Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March and opportunities presented themselves to clean up on a few good birds. First of all a trip up to the north of the county for Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Goshawk and Hawfinch. Unfortunately Hawfinch proved difficult and there was no show. Then a trip into Leicestershire, to Rutland Water for a Long-billed Dowitcher. This American wader had been present for several weeks and seemed very settled on the Eggleton Reserve from Shoveler Hide. Slightly distant for the camera but nevertheless a couple of record shots of the bird will do. A variety of ducks from the hide, gave some good opportunities for the camera and a couple of courting Great Crested Grebes were a real treat, along with a Curlew putting in an obliging appearance. Elsewhere we had 6 Smew and a couple of Ringed Plover. On Sunday 13th I decided to spend a few hours in a local wood looking for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. A site that has been traditionally good for this species, but seemingly no more. No sight nor sound, which is very disappointing. It does look as though this species will soon be a distant memory in my county. I did find a Woodcock, several Marsh Tit, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Tree Creeper. So, the year list moves on to 148
Long-billed Dowitcher – 1st winter – Rutland Water – Tony Davison© – Note the plain grey tertial centres, which help to tell it apart from the rarer Short-billed Dowitcher.
Great Crested Grebe – Courting Couple – Rutland Water, ~Leicestershire – Tony Davison©
Great Crested Grebe – Rutland Water, Leicestershire – Tony Davison©
Gadwall – Drake – above three images – Rutland Water, Leicestershire – Tony Davison© – a very attractive duck, under rated in my view
Gadwall – A pair – Rutland Water, Leicestershire – Tony Davison© – note the white speculum
Moorhen – Rutland Water, Leicestershire – Tony Davison©
Coot – Rutland Water, Leicestershire – Tony Davison©
Shelduck – Drake – above two images – Rutland Water, Leicestershire – Tony Davison© – Ducks don’t come much better than this.
Teal – Drake – Above two images – Rutland Water, Leicestershire – Tony Davison©
Eurasian Curlew – Rutland Water, Leicestershire – Tony Davison©
Jackdaw – Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Good stuff.