22 October 2023 - Hollingworth Lake

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Great White Egret, Pink-footed Geese, Goldcrest, Redwings, Fieldfares

After yesterday's success with the Ring Ouzels I thought I'd have another stab at them today, but as it turned out I was out of luck. The male was seen by several of the others around the Peanock Farm area, but I didn't manage to hook up on this occasion. There were still some good birds to be had however. In the morning around the lake, a couple of Goldcrests were in the hedge along Rakewood Road, and several Long-tailed Tits in the bushes on the other side of the road. There seemed to be fewer thrushes around today, and the ones I saw were nearer to the road at the far end of Shaw Moss. At Shaw Moss farm I saw an interesting looking female Blackbird that had be going for a while - it seemed to have a very pale throat and scaly underside, but I don't think it was a Ring Ouzel.

Walking back up the lane towards Peanock, I looked up and spotted what was presumably the same Great White Egret I'd seen yesterday, flying over from the direction of the Lake, in the opposite direction to yesterday. I managed a few hasty shots, and then shortly afterwards I heard the unmistakeable sound of Pinkfeet overhead. A skein of 42 were heading north, and I continued on towards home.

Later in the afternoon, the sun came out and the Ring Ouzel had been reported by Andrew near Peanock Farm, so I had a quick wander out to see if I could catch another glimpse. When I reached the area there seemed to be hardly any thrushes at all, and the ones I did see seemed to be going to roost. After a while a few parties of Fieldfare came overhead in the sunshine and I manage some flight shots. A few landed in nearby trees and remained perched up in the sunshine but were always quite high up in the uppermost branches. Still nice to see and photograph though.

Goldcrest, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 5000 (view full size image)