Local Patch Birding Really paid off to-day.
Another early morning start at Carsington Water. After a walk around "Stones Island" and a visit to the main Wildlife Hide, we had seen very little. The regular adult Yellow-legged Gull and a few Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
We then made our way to Sheepwash Hide and on arrival walked straight onto an adult Great White Egret. The bird was feeding in the bay and performed for around half an hour, long enough for me to run back to the car for my camera, before flying straight past the hide and disappearing down the south arm and out of sight. Not to be seen again during the day.
Great White Egret – Carsington Water, Derbyshire.
Great White Egret – Carsington Water, Derbyshire.
Coot – Carsington Water, Derbyshire.
Eurasian Teal – Eclipse drake – Carsington Water, Derbyshire.
The mornings birding was finsihed off at Willington Gravel Pits, with a smart juvenile Hobby putting on a fine dispaly over the main mere. Small numbers of Shoveler and a few Lesser-black Backed Gulls moving through. Several Common Buzzard, a singing Cetti's Warbler and that was about it. An unexpected Year Tick, so the year list moves on to 221.
Juvenile Hobby – Willington Gravel Pits, Derbyshire.