19 February 2022 - Hollingworth Lake

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Mediterranean Gull, Nuthatch, Fieldfares, Redwings, Goldeneye, Goosanders, Tufted Duck

Had a good walk round this morning in almost constant quite heavy snow; c. 3°C.  Viewing conditions after the first 10 minutes weren't so good and I got soaked through.  A Black-headed Gull was by the car park, in close to summer plumage; the Goldeneye was by the Sea Cadets jetty, and in Pavilion Wood a good number of Redwings revealed a couple of Fieldfares with them when they scattered.  About 25 Goldfinch here too.  From the hide, a pair of Tufted Duck were fairly close, but the camera struggled to focus with the snow.  I walked down Ealees Valley and saw virtually nothing until I reached the bottom, when I had a brief Nuthatch, species No. 60 for the year.  By this time my binoculars were steaming up constantly so I headed back.  On the canal, a female Goosander was fishing close by, but again conditions were very tricky.

The afternoon became clear and sunny, and I thought I'd go to check for the Med Gull by the car park.  No sign of it here, so I walked around to Bib Knowl to scan for owls, but nothing doing.  Back at the car park, the gulls which had been on the far side had come a little closer to roost, and scanning through them I eventually found the Med Gull.  It was always distant, but good to catch up with it finally!

Black-headed Gull, 1/500 sec. f/6.3, ISO 1250, 220 mm

Tufted Duck, 1/500 sec. f/5.6, ISO 2000, 220 mm

Goosander, 1/500 sec. f/6.3, ISO 6400, 220 mm

Mediterranean Gull, 1/125sec. f/5.6, ISO 200, 220 mm

Mediterranean Gull, 1/125sec. f/5.6, ISO 200, 220 mm

Common Gull, 1/125sec. f/5.6, ISO 200, 220 mm