22 December 2022 - Hollingworth Lake

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Water Rail, 11 Goosander, 2 Coot, Great Crested Grebe, c.20 Siskins

4°C, very gloomy and dull.

Seven Goosander were again inside the overflow boom, and 2 Coot were out on the water, but it was so gloomy, the more distant birds were hard to pick out.  As I reached the second stone bridge, I noticed some ripples at the side of the stream.  There had been a female Teal feeding here recently, but when I looked over the top of the bridge, I realised the ripples were being created by a Water Rail.  As soon as it saw me it started to move away down the stream, so I snatched a few hasty shots as it fed, until it had gone out of sight. I was on the limits of the camera's light-gathering capabilities, and also photographing through the overhanging branches, so the results aren't really much more than record shots, but I was pleased to get it on film.

Around 20 Siskins were flitting around the big hedge area, but again difficult to see in the very dull conditions.

Water Rail , 1/125 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 25600 (view full size image)

Water Rail, 1/160 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 25600 (view full size image)