23 October 2025 - Hollingworth Lake

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Whooper Swans, Mediterranean Gull, pink flushed Black-headed Gull

A message came through from Andrew this morning about 15 Whooper Swans heading towards Smallbridge. I stepped out the back door and they were just going overhead, quite low, seemingly heading towards the Lake. However when I got there, there was no sign, so they must have passed straight through . The Mediterranean Gull was present by the Car park again however, and there was also an interesting-looking Black-headed Gull with a pink flush to its body, and seemingly brighter pinkish-red legs than the others around it.

Having stayed in early doors to attend to a work matter, I went for a late morning walk round the lake and didn't see a great deal, although the weather was quite pleasant. A few Meadow Pipits were feeding on the shoreline near the Wine Press. I popped into the loo at the Pavilion and noticed a November/Autumnal moth high up on the wall, obviously attracted by the lights.

At c. 13:25 Andrew sent another message saying that another flock of Whoopers had gone over, this time 20+. I scanned around all the horizons and eventually picked them up in the distance, to the South-east. After reviewing the photos, it seems there were 23. Steve also saw them over his house in Wardle. I managed a record shot although it was virtually impossible to see them through the viewfinder!

Black-headed Gull with pink flush

Meadow Pipit, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 800

November/Autumnal moth sp., 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 8000 (view full size image)

Whooper Swans