22 December 2021 - Hollingworth Lake

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3 Goosander, 3 Tufted Ducks

Clear at first this morning, and 0°C, but becoming slightly misty by the end of the walk.  As usual of late it seemed very quiet, with not much bird movement.  A few Long-tailed Tits were by the Beach Hotel, and some more by the bridge near the road.  I noticed three Tufted Ducks with Canada Geese on the other side of the lake, close to the reserve by the road, but the Canadas flew off and took the Tufteds with them.  From the hide there were three Goosanders on the reserve pool, and I spotted the Tufteds flying back apparently to the same spot by the road, but when I got there I couldn't see them.

The afternoon walk produced four Goosanders on the open water, including three drakes (one of which was sporting a nice pinkish flush), and a winter plumaged Lesser Black-back with strong head and neck streaking posed for photos by the car park. When I reached the road by the reserve I was surprised to find the three Tufted Ducks in residence (asleep) back in their original spot. By this time it was raining so I took some hurried shots of both sets of ducks and headed back.

Lesser Black-back, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 1000 220mm

Tufted Ducks, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 2000 220mm

Goosanders, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 1600 220mm

Goosanders, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 1600 132mm