I started off this morning with a look around Caldecotte Lake, mainly with the thought of seeing Keith's Brambling that has been visiting his impressive feeding station near the small bridge at the top end of South Lake.
I didn't see it but the crowd of visitors there included Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Siskin, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, Reed Buntings, Robin, Blackbird and of course Keith who told me he'd had a flock of 40 Waxwings in the car park and the Brambling earlier.
Best bits for me around the site were a dozen Siskins, a female Goosander and a pair of Buzzard that came over low.
At lunchtime I popped down to Gayhurst Quarry.
On Motorway Pit there were 2 Oystercatchers, a pair of Goosander, an influx of Pochard, and about 30 Teal although the Wigeon flock had diminished considerably.
Spinney Pit held good numbers of Tufted Duck and Gadwall, also a Little Egret and singles of Great-crested and Little Grebe.
Reedy Pit was where all the action was though, and I do mean action!
Two pairs of Mute Swans were having a real battle over ownership of this desirable nesting site. The two females locked together as well as the two males.
The female set-to was impressive, but was over in about ten minutes, with the victor rushing back to encourage her man in the real battle.
Now this really was a battle, with lots of wing-flapping, pushing and shoving, biting, pecking, necks enwrapped and just sheer power. No-one seemed to be getting the upper-hand and there seemed no end in sight. In fact I when I left about an hour later they were still at it.
I didn't see it but the crowd of visitors there included Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Siskin, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, Reed Buntings, Robin, Blackbird and of course Keith who told me he'd had a flock of 40 Waxwings in the car park and the Brambling earlier.
Best bits for me around the site were a dozen Siskins, a female Goosander and a pair of Buzzard that came over low.
At lunchtime I popped down to Gayhurst Quarry.
On Motorway Pit there were 2 Oystercatchers, a pair of Goosander, an influx of Pochard, and about 30 Teal although the Wigeon flock had diminished considerably.
Spinney Pit held good numbers of Tufted Duck and Gadwall, also a Little Egret and singles of Great-crested and Little Grebe.
Reedy Pit was where all the action was though, and I do mean action!
Two pairs of Mute Swans were having a real battle over ownership of this desirable nesting site. The two females locked together as well as the two males.
The female set-to was impressive, but was over in about ten minutes, with the victor rushing back to encourage her man in the real battle.
Now this really was a battle, with lots of wing-flapping, pushing and shoving, biting, pecking, necks enwrapped and just sheer power. No-one seemed to be getting the upper-hand and there seemed no end in sight. In fact I when I left about an hour later they were still at it.
Motorway Pit was largely uneventful with just a small flock of Lapwings on 'Tern Island'
It was good to catch up with you again Rob.
ReplyDeleteNo sign of the Brambling today, but the Waxwings returned.
Quite a scrap between the swans. I bet that was scary to watch. Great captures of the action.
Cheers Keith, Not exactly scary, but certainly fascinating. Although the female did almost knock my tripod over in her haste to get back to the action.
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