13 November 2022 - Hollingworth Lake

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2 Pinkfeet, 2 Shoveler, Kingfisher, c. 8 Siskin, Redpoll (h), 2 Bullfinch, 6 Snipe, 2 Nuthatch, Redwings, Cormorants

Clear and sunny, 10°C.

A good morning's birding. I was out early this morning, before it was properly light.  As I walked down Rakewood Road, I could see two distant ducks on the water. On investigation they proved to be female type Shovelers, but they were too far for photography.  Unfortunately they'd gone by the time I reached the other side.  A short while later, two geese flew towards Littleborough from the reserve, and I only realised as they were going away that they were Pinkfeet.   Moments later, a Kingfisher flew from the overflow area. I think it had been perched on the boom, but I hadn't noticed it.  It flew a short distance, landed on a stone, then dived in the water and then flew off towards the reserve, where it perched briefly on the bank of the stream before disappearing.

Close to the weir, a party of around 8 or so Siskins fed in an Alder, and when they flew, I also heard Redpoll, though I hadn't seen any.  Two Nuthatches flitted by the path but avoided photography, and 6 Snipe were on the reserve itself.   I counted 24 Cormorants, the most so far this autumn, and as I walked further, a group of them flew out onto the water and began to feed as a party.  Shortly after when I was in the wood, they flew overhead, but semi-obscured by trees. 

Several Redwing were feeding in the Holly tree in the wood, so I spent a little time hanging around waiting for them to appear (which they did - just).

Pinkfeet, 1/2000 sec, f/7.1, 472 mm, ISO 2000 (view full size image)

Snipe, 1/60 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 320 (view full size image)

Cormorants, 1/2500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 800 (view full size image)

Cormorants, 1/2000 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 400 (view full size image)

Redwing, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 800 (view full size image)

Redwing, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 500 (view full size image)