27 April 2022 - Hollingworth Lake

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Common Sandpiper, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Wheatear, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, pair Linnets, pair Stonechat

Today was a much more interesting day; although nothing remarkable was seen, there was a good selection of half-decent birds.  The sun was shining as I set off but by the time I reached the hide it was overcast with a cool breeze.  A Goldfinch sat up briefly by the roadside, and from the hide a pair of Mallard with ducklings swam in front.  There's been a drake Gadwall around for a couple of days but I've not been able to catch up with it; however it was present at the back of the reserve, though being quite furtive.

Leaving the hide, a Sparrowhawk was being harassed by a Carrion Crow in the distance, and then a Kestrel flew over. On the spit were an Oystercatcher and Common Sandpiper, the latter a bit closer this time.

At lunchtime I decided to try the Syke Farm area, and on the way up encountered a Buzzard in the trees, which then flew and soared above me for a short while. A pair of Linnets flew from the stone wall into a tree but then flew off before I could get the camera on them.  I stood by the Bramble patch for about 10 minutes before I had to head back, with no sight or sound of any Grasshopper Warbler.  The pair of Stonechat were flitting around, the male perching on the wires but too far away for photos.  Suddenly a female Wheatear flew past me and landed nearby on the wood pile, allowing me to creep up and get a few fairly close shots.

Goldfinch, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 200
Goldfinch, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 200 (view full size image)

Mallard With Ducllings, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 2500
Mallard With Ducllings, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 2500 (view full size image)

Gadwall, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 1250
Gadwall, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 1250 (view full size image)

Oystercatcher, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 320
Oystercatcher, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 320 (view full size image)

Common Sandpiper, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 400
Common Sandpiper, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 400 (view full size image)

Buzzard , 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 400
Buzzard , 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 400

Buzzard, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 160
Buzzard, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 160

Wheatear, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 250
Wheatear, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 250 (view full size image)

Wheatear , 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 250
Wheatear , 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 250 (view full size image)