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Monday 31 January 2011

Some Snipe at Last!

I had a look in at Willen today.
Most of the lakes were frozen, but the open water areas were absolutely ram-packed with waterfowl. On North Lake, Wigeon were the dominant species with several hundred present, also many Mallard and lesser numbers of Coot, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler.
 On the island, the Herons are in well into their breeding, with several sitting atop of their huge nests in the Pine trees. Thirty five Cormorants sat in the tallest tree on the east side and a hundred or so Lapwings stood out on the ice.
 Looking in the reeds just left of the hide I located 4 Snipe, - the first I have seen this year !

On South Lake, there were even more birds, the same mix as on the North, but Tufted being the most numerous. Also 22 Goldeneye and 4 Goosander with a good number of Great-crested  Grebes.

Around the lake, Stock Doves were prospecting nest holes, lots of Reed Buntings fed in the reeds and several Siskins were seen.

2 comments:

  1. Sounds like the Caldecotte birds have gone to Willen Rob.

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  2. You're obviously not feeding them well enough, Keith.

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