Sunday 10th March birding at Rutland Water in a howling gale and snow storm! Spring has taken a backward step for the time being. Despite the snow and freezing wind chill, a few good birds were around but took some finding in the poor conditions. A winter plumaged Slavonian Grebe and a Black-necked Grebe were together in the north arm. At one stage I observed them displaying to each other, rather bizaare I thought? The two birds were certainly staying close together, almost as a pair.
Wandering around the various lagoons, a variety of waterfowl were seen, which is typical at this fantastic site. Egyptian Goose; 6 Scaup; 11 Smew (1 drake), were all year ticks. Many Goldeneye, a male Goosander, numerous Shelduck and high numbers of Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon and Tufted Duck.Also 2 Green Sandpiper; a Water Rail, 2 Redshank and at least c30 Dunlin.
On arrival back home, I suddenly realised that it was Webs Count weekend, so a mad dash up to Staunton Harold Res was in order, to complete my count. What a surprise as I arrived on site, to see an adult Kittiwake fly over the dam end of the reservoir. A year tick for the site but other highlights were very few and far between. I managed to find 7 Teal and a single Pochard but 50 Great Crested Grebe was a good count. Year list moves on to 116 and my year list for SHRes 86
During the week I had a few pleasant surprises at Staunton Harold. A count of 9 Yellowhammers at the feeder on 11th March was an excellent count for sometime. A single male Tree Sparrow still around but the main flock seem to have gone and not seen in any numbers for sometime now. Another year tick for the site, 2 Oystercatchers on the 14th March, moves the list to 87. I guess the next year ticks will hopefully be some early spring migrants??
