Today I made another visit to the SOS Reserve at Venus Pool and took more photos taken from the public hide. The weather was not good – heavy rain and low overcast – so the photos are not as ‘crisp’ as I would like. I have selected some that show salient features, some of which can only be seen at this time of year.
A fine duck (Common) Teal. Just showing the green speculum. Note the white side to the tail.
And a trio of these birds. Cannot explain why they look so different. It might be that some (or all) are first-winter birds still in moult to adult plumage. Then again ...
Here is a drake which certainly is moulting in to adult plumage. The yellow-outlined green area on the face is just visible and some of the flank feathers are those that will form the vermiculated side when moult is complete.
A pair of (Eurasian) Wigeon head on, the drake in the lead. The yellow crown stripe is just becoming apparent as both these birds moult in to adult plumage. It is quite normal for many ducks to pair-up as soon as they start to acquire breeding plumage.
To conform to “equality of the sexes” here they are again, the other way around – female nearest the camera.
A close-up of the drake looking again at that emergent yellow crown. The colour and pattern of the bill is very distinctive in all plumages. Note too the start of moult for the back feathers – they will all be like those already showing the wavy lines.
Compare and contrast time again. A duck (Common) Teal between a pair of (Eurasian) Wigeon – drake at the back.
A drake Shoveler in typical ‘shovelling’ pose, sifting the water through its flattened bill to filter out things to eat.
And another. The feathers seem waterproof-enough to keep out the pouring rain! Old feathers on the shoulder show dark fringes. These will be replaced with all-white feathers when in full breeding plumage.
Another view of him with his duck companion. It is less easy to see this species ‘paired up’ as they spend a lot of time in large groups spinning around to stir up food from the bottom of shallow areas, all the while with bills under water sifting the result.
A Little Grebe in winter plumage. The feathers looked rather soggy on this continually-diving bird though the raindrop falling on its back seems to be being repelled adequately.
A Grey Wagtails steps it out.
As does a male Pied Wagtail – at least I assume it does though we can only see one leg! Much the same angle as the Grey Wagtail and notice how much shorter is the tail of the Pied Wagtail.
Look: it does have two legs after all.
This is an immature Pied Wagtail, the face having a creamy / yellowish wash.
Spring is in the air. Well perhaps not. The Rabbit was just in a hurry. Note the rusty tones on the nape and upper back.
And another Rabbit running away.
(Ed Wilson)
