1 January 2022 - Hollingworth Lake

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Red-throated Diver, 3 Fieldfares, Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker (heard). Tree Sparrows and Reed Bunting in garden.

Start of the new yearlist today.  Was up early, almost before it had become light.  Simon had the Red-throated Diver yesterday (presumably the Watergrove one), and I wanted to get in situ before the rowers were out.  As it turned out there were no boats on the water today.  It was rather cold (actually about 8°C but quite windy), and the water was rather choppy.  As I walked down Rakewood Road, three Fieldfare flew over and landed in a tree in the big hedge area; a species I wasn't expecting.  Also a Stock Dove flew overhead shortly after, heading towards Rakewood.  A Grey Heron was standing on the side of the brook on Rakewood Road, then flew round and landed in the field.

When I reached the pavilion area, I was scanning the water and was relieved to find the Red-throated Diver, albeit on the other side, near to the Wine Press. It was hard to keep tabs on and kept diving for long periods then reappearing somewhere else.  While sitting on the benches waiting for it to reappear, I could hear Green Woodpecker yaffling across the other side, possibly Ealees Valley area. Eventually the Diver spent a little time nearer the nature reserve where the water was a bit calmer, and I managed to get some distant-ish shots.  A pair of Goosander were close in by the overflow, but otherwise the walk was fairly uneventful.  I managed 38 species including Tree Sparrows, Reed Bunting and Greenfinch in the garden.

Grey Heron, 1/500 sec, F5.6, ISO 2500, 220mm

Red-throated Diver, 1/500 sec, F5.6, ISO 800, 220mm

Goosander, 1/500 sec, F5.6, ISO 800, 196mm