2 April 2022 - Hollingworth Lake

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Water Rail, Teal, Goosander, Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk

It was rather cloudy this morning, but with some patches of blue sky, and clearing as the morning progressed.  A Grey Heron was perched on the stones just past the Wine Press, but flew off as soon as I stopped. The Water Rail was present in its original spot, and once again was very elusive.  I managed to get one barely recognisable record shot before it disappeared into the undergrowth.

When I reached the hide, I could see a drake Teal just in front, so I entered cautiously and managed to get a few shots before it became spooked and flew onto the main part of the reserve.  A female went with it, which must have been close by too, though I hadn't seen it. As I sat in the hide, the resident Goldeneye swam round in front and onto the reserve, followed shortly after by a pair of Goosander, but the light conditions were far from ideal.  Shortly after, a Sparrowhawk flew overhead from behind the hide towards Bear Hill.

I walked to Shaw Moss, but there wasn't much to see there apart from a few Teal and three Roe Deer.   In the afternoon, a Sparrowhawk soared above the house but was gone before I was able to get the camera.

Grey Heron , 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1000, 220 mm

Water Rail, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 6400, 220 mm

Teal , 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 2000, 220 mm

Goldeneye , 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1250, 220 mm

Goosander, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 500, 220 mm

Goosander Female, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1000, 220 mm

Pied Wagtail, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400, 220 mm

Roe Deer, 1/500 sec, f/9.0, ISO 1600, 219.76 mm