A few images from Venus Pool today:
I made another foray to the SOS reserve at Venus Pool on Thursday after the gales abated. Here are two species for the price of one. Compare the drake Shelduck and the back with the drake Shoveler at the front. Plumage differences between the sexes of Shelduck is not great: this bird shows the large swelling at the base of the bill that a drake gets in the breeding season.
Two more species for the price of one: a fine drake Gadwall in front of a Snipe.
A drake Shoveler not yet in full plumage.
An adult Cormorant showing the white thigh-patch and head-plumes of a breeding condition bird. It seems that both male and female birds develop this feature. The extent of the head-plumes is dependent upon age – older birds are whiter headed (I know how they feel, except I am like it all year).
There were >200 Lapwing present. As ever these restless birds were flying around and only briefly settling before something would put them all up again. It is difficult to capture the spectacle. Here are just a few.
With some coming it to land.
And more.
Off they go again.
Three species here – two drake and a duck Gadwall, a Snipe and a Lapwing. Note the Lapwing has been ringed.
So Snipe do open their bills when probing for food. Note this bird is also ringed (banded if you prefer) on its right leg.
A reflective Snipe.
Showing they shut their eyes when probing underwater.
Seem effective though: a large catch – a worm?
... lined up along the bill to slide “down the hatch”.
A very obliging Kestrel sitting on a post close to one of the hides allowed photographs from all angles. “Are all those cameras looking at me?” – I was not the only photographer present. This is certainly not an adult male – that would show an all-grey crown and much less black on the rufous back. Separation of an adult female from an immature is more tricky.
I think the extent of the streaking on the breast suggests this is a first-year bird, probably a female.
Note the many bars on the tail – an adult male would have a dark terminal band on an otherwise grey tail.
Making mountains out of molehills?
You know Long-tailed Tits are among my favourite subjects – not least because their energetic nature makes them a challenge.
A male Chaffinch, also sporting a ring. Can almost read (part of) the number.
More signs of Spring – Blackthorn [or Sloe] (
Prunus spinosa) in flower. I hope there are / will be enough insects about to pollinate these early flowers.
(Ed Wilson)
