27 December 2021 - Hollingworth Lake

« Newer   |   Older »

Pochard, 3 Shoveler, 7 Goosander, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker

A pleasant walk this morning, fairly calm, 6°C with some blue sky showing through to begin with.  A few gulls on the water but all a bit distant.  I was scanning the water from the south-west side and noticed a party of ducks mid-water.  These turned out to be Mallard, but next to them was a drake Pochard, only just discernible due to distance.  I was messing with my camera and when I looked up it had gone, but I noticed it flying round, and heading towards the reserve .As I reached the Sea Cadet building, there was a young large gull on the roof with Black-headed Gulls.  This turned out to be a Herring Gull, with pale inner primaries showing in flight. 

In Pavilion Wood, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew and landed low on a tree, but then disappeared. In the same area, a Treecreeper was feeding, which I managed to approach for a few shots. As I reached the reserve I could see that the Pochard had in fact landed there and was feeding on the inner pool.  It was just too far away for any decent photos, but a few record shots were taken.  A handful of Teal were also present. 

I carried on to the road and once again scanning over the water, noticed three ducks flying quite high, and looking elongated. Expecting them to be Goosander, once I got my bins on them was pleasantly surprised to see that they were Shoveler - one adult male and two female/immatures.  Also in the air at the same time were 7 Goosanders, including 6 drakes, but neither these nor the Shoveler seemed to land, though it's possible at least one group may have ended up on the reserve.

Herring Gull, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 800, 220mm
Herring Gull, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 800, 220mm

Treecreeper, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 1250, 220mm
Treecreeper, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 1250, 220mm

Pochard, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 640, 220mm
Pochard, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 640, 220mm

Herring Gull, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 500, 220mm
Herring Gull, 1/500sec F5.6, ISO 500, 220mm

Shovelers, 1/800sec F5.6, ISO 100, 220mm
Shovelers, 1/800sec F5.6, ISO 100, 220mm