The Deskbound Birder: Northern Lapwing

Showing posts with label Northern Lapwing. Show all posts

Monday, 23 December 2019

Slimbridge WWT - 23rd December

On a beautiful sunny day I spent a couple of hours at Slimbridge WWT between my Christmas chores. I spent my time along the east side of the reserve. From the Rushy Hide there were nine Snipe, 12 Bewick's Swan and good numbers of Pochard and Tufted Duck. Out on the marsh there were large numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover, 53 Bewick's Swan, 22 Ruff, two Common Crane and large numbers of Wigeon, Pintail and Teal. I then visited the rather stunning new Estuary Tower Hide when on the estuary were eight Pink-footed Goose and 56 Barnacle Goose. It was soon time to head off for my Christmas shopping duties.

My ebird checklist can be viewed here.

Bewick Swan - Slimbridge WWT

Eurasian Teal - Slimbridge WWT

Northern Lapwing - Slimbridge WWT

Shelduck - Slimbridge WWT

Lapwing, Golden Plover and Bewisk's Swan - Slimbridge WWT

Golden Plover - Slimbridge WWT

Common Crane - Slimbridge WWT

Tufted Duck - Slimbridge WWT

Barnacle Goose - Slimbridge WWT

Blue Tit - Slimbridge WWT

Wednesday, 13 February 2019

Radipole and Lodmoor - 13th February

I was working in Sidford, Devon again today and having finished at around 11:00 I decided to divert my route home and head for the Weymouth area for a couple of light weight rarities. First up, at Radipole RSPB was a drake Ring-necked Duck which had been present on the reserve since 4th November when it was in its first-winter plumage. Walking along Radipole Park Drive, the bird had often been in the channel and close to the fishing platforms but when I picked up the bird it was clear that it was closer to the picnic shelter on the reserve so I fast-walked around to this point and eventually got fairly good views as the bird loafed with Tufted Duck. Ring-necked Duck really are stunning birds with their grey flanks and white fore-blaze, three-tone banded bill and their high peaked heads with a soft purple sheen. In the carpark there were around 50 Mediterranean Gull, I never tire of Med Gull and so I spent a little time watching them, many of which were nearly in full summer plumage.

Ring-necked Duck - Radipole Lake RSPB

Mediterranean Gull - Radipole Lake RSPB

I then headed to Lodmoor RSPB where a Lesser Yellowlegs had been present since 18th October, it was a beautiful warm and sunny day and it was a pleasure to be out and about. There were around 175 Mediterranean Gull, their 'keeeow' calls filling the still spring like air. A large flock of Lapwing was regularly disturbed by a hunting male Marsh Harrier and there were small numbers of Black-tailed Godwit just about beginning their transition to summer plumage. Then, I picked up a very white headed male Ruff and with it the Lesser Yellowlegs. I watched these two birds, which seemed to have formed a close foraging allegiance, the birds gradually coming closer and closer to the western path and eventually giving good views as they picked in the shallows with the Eurasian Teal. After a short while it was time to head off and continue my journey back to Hampshire.