Winter Ducks.

On Monday I drove over the county boundary to Wraysbury Gravel Pits in the hope of seeking out a few of the migrant species that often frequent the various large lakes formed after the extraction of gravel to build the M25 motorway.

As I climbed over the style to access the footpath that would take me alongside the New Hythe Pit I was initially greeted with a flurry of activity as various species including Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch,  Blackbird and Redwing dived for cover while overhead I could hear the distinctive chattering 'shack-shack-shack' calls from a number of Fieldfare. Both the Redwing and Fieldfare are winter visiting Thrushes and typically vary wary of any intruders so I had to wait patiently for them to settle high above me in order to snap a cropped record shot of both in the frame together.

Moving on I scanned the open water only to find that most of the ducks were typically too far away for the lens on the farthest side of he pit but I was delighted to spot that my quarry including 3 drake Smew and 8 Goosanders plus a number of Goldeneye were in fact on site together with the usual Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Grey Heron, Cormorants, Mute Swans, and Great Crested Grebes.  

I eventually managed to capture a male Goosander (Mergus merganser) which had been drifting close to the bank but out of my sight and promptly decided to swim away to join its distant companions. The next two species, Goldeneye and Pochard were fortunately a little more obliging.

Male Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Male Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)

A few other species kept me company during my stroll including a small flock of Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits (constantly uttering their scolding call as I walked by) and the very noisy Rose-ringed Parakeets whose piercing screams nearly drowned out the constant background sounds from the nearby motorway!

My final quarry was the extremely shy and one of the smallest sawbills, the Smew. The males are often referred to as the 'White Nun' due to their distinctive white and black streaked plumage.

Male Smew (Mergellus albellus).

Every winter this dainty species migrates southwards from its northern boreal breeding grounds in Finland, Sweden and Russia. Small numbers can usually be found at regular overwintering sites from December until March throughout the southern counties of the UK. Unfortunately I couldn't get any decent views so had to dig out an image taken during a visit to this site from just a year ago.  FAB.

Click here to link to WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY for more images from around the globe.

Papercourt GP.

On Wednesday, after hibernating indoors for a few days, I drove over to Papercourt Gravel Pit to see what might be around. An initial scan from the footpath indicated that 75% of the water was frozen and the wildlife was split up between two areas of unfrozen water. The closest area, at the top end of the pit, appeared to be just black dots (e.g. Coots) but well wrapped up against the cold I headed off to get a closer look. On the way I passed Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits flitting through the waterside trees together with four very flighty Lesser Redpolls .... good start I thought to myself.

Amongst the numerous Coots I found Tufted Ducks, Mallard, Pochard (all males), one Teal, Little and Great Crested Grebe plus the usual Black-headed Gulls slipping and sliding on the ice.

It was also fun to watch this male Tuftie attempting to cross the ice but he eventually gave up and decided it was easier to fly! While scanning the other area of unfrozen water I picked out five Goosander and pondered whether they might ever come closer to the bank for some photos. Always the optimist  I decided to continue around the pit but in all honesty didn't hold out much hope.

Well the direction of the chilling breeze was not in my favour and they all decided to stay well away from the bank so only a distant (cropped) record shot was available.

I was however able to get a liitle closer to the Tufted Ducks as they swan passed my position high on the bank above the water.

Amongst the Tufties was this female sporting white facial patches and a noticeable peak on the crown (rather than a tuft) so I guess this could be possibly be a hybrid. Female hybrids are notoriously difficult to identify so I am not going to place a bet on this one ... but any of my readers are welcome to make a suggestion!

The only other confiding species was this young Mute Swan who queitly drifted past me. Other species seen included Common Gull, Cormorants perched on the overhead electric pylons, Blackbird, Robin, Grey Heron, Goldfinch and a Green Woodpecker.

As it was only mid afternoon, on the way home I stopped off at Bookham Common where there have been recent sightings of Hawfinch but needless to say I didn't find one on this occasion.

Just after I arrived a Redwing obligingly perched in a nearby tree providing a relatively easy shot whilst trying to hold the gear still with freezing fingers. A brief stroll, scanning all the berry bushes only produced more Redwing (20+), Fieldfare, Song Thrush, many Blackbirds, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Green Woodpecker, a male Pheasant and one male Bullfinch. 

I also disturbed a pair of very young Roe Deer as my feet crunched across the frozen snow .... they turned to give me a fleeting and inquiring look before disappearing into the undergrowth. Today was a better day for the camera but it may take me some while to sort through the options for the next post........FAB.

Raining along the Mole.

Yesterday I just had to get out so I made a return visit to the River Mole. It was raining and underfoot was mushy slippery ice so I wonder 'I am mad to even contemplate getting any decent sightings or photos in these conditions?' Undaunted I tread carefully and commence my stroll downstream. At the Vinnery the only sound is from a Grey Wagtail calling as it flies over. Well that's another species for the 2010 list and my my spirits are lifted further as I stand and watch a flock of Tits (Long-tails, Blue & Great) plus Blackbird, Redwing, Wren and Chaffinch busily feeding as they move around the shrubbery but the camera stays under the coat protected from the rain.

At the first bridge I catch a glimpse of lightening blue as a Kingfisher dashes by.

As the sign indicates, they nest in the river banks so maybe I might catch up with one perched somewhere later on, I can always hope!

The water level is fairly high and a fair torrent tumbles over this small weir as I follow a twittering band of Goldfinches high overhead using the bins.

 

A brief respite in the rain allows me a quick shot of a stationery Grey Heron with a pair of Mallard hiding nearby as two Moorhen, aware of my presence, promptly scurry away. Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling and a single Song Thrush are also noted nearby.

Crossing over the river via this bridge I scan the waters for signs of the Goosanders but nothing yet.

Out onto the open field the view looks fairly bleak, but specks of greyish-white in the water gets the heart rate pumping. Maybe I'm in luck...but it's still raining and the light is dismal. Over the half next hour or so I stalk these shapes, constantly diving and moving away from me.

On a number of occasions I get set up for a shot only to be interrupted by dogs and their attendants with obviously no idea why I'm croached down in the soggy snow concentrating on something in the water.

The Goosanders are eventually spooked and fly away up river towards the town so I eat my packed lunch before heading in the same direction. After a hundred yards I relocate two Goosander and fire off a few more frames for luck.

If there is one lesson I learnt it was don't expect too much when the conditions are this dismal and I also need to practise using manual focus. I promise myself to try harder in future.

The final stretch, with more rain...through the gate..along the path back to the car and then home again.

I had two more sightings of a Kingfisher flying up and down river but never perched so I thought I would share a shot taken late last year along the River Mole.

Have a good weekend, whatever the weather.   FAB

Searching for a Sawbill.

A few days ago a friend kindly alerted me to the presence of visiting 'sawbills' on the River Mole around Leatherhead but once again the waited DHL delivery didn't arrive until well after midday. Despite the worsening light and in view of more snow forecasted for today (and it duly arrived overnight) I decided yesterday afternoon to get the car out and go on a hunting trip.

From a very icy car park on the outskirts of the town I made my way very gingerly down onto the riverside path just in time to catch a glimpse of my quarry disappearing fairly rapidly downstream!

 A male Goosander (Mergus merganser)

Knowing that I could not keep up with my fleeing quarry I slowly strolled downstream passing a pair of Mute Swans, Black-headed Gulls, Moorhens and a few Mallards. It was fairly quiet apart from a scolding Wren and the occassional 'squawking' Parakeets high overhead, twittering Goldfinches hunting amoungst the Alders and then in one of the nearby gardens I spied a few Redwings and Blackbirds busily leaf turning for a late afternoon snack. Robin and Blue Tits were also seeking out an existence through the pathside shrubs.

Redwing

Under one of the bridges I watched four Little Grebes constantly diving and disappearing from view.

Moving on downstream I disturbed a Water Rail who promtly dashed across the water and, you guessed, disappeared from view. Looking ahead, the horses were quietly going about their own business and I questioned whether I should continue or retrace my steps. The temperature was falling, light fading so I turned around and 15 minutes later I caught up with two female Goosanders actively diving near one of the town bridges. Here is the best of a few poor shots....I'll go back as soon as the roads are clear and safe.

Female Goosander.

On the return journey a Grey Heron patiently waiting and watching.

A Song Thrush gave me a severe stare.

Vacant room to let....anyone interested?

Nutkin scampers away with tonights snack.

Cormarant standing sentry duty.

The misty view from The Vinery (disused).

Time to ring Anita to get the kettle on...I'm coming home. FAB