A ‘socially-distanced’ visit to the SOS Venus Pool Reserve today netted some more good views of the waterbirds and a few other things. Here is a selection of images
A sizeable group of Mute Swans flew in together including many first-year bird, as these two are. None of them seemed to have either Darvic or BTO metal rings, as we can see here.
With the Mute Swans was this Black Swan. This is a non-migratory Australian species and all instances in the UK originate as escapees from wildfowl collections. Their number is too low at the moment to establish a viable breeding population. As far as I know they have never hybridised with ‘our’ Mute Swan. The washed-out bill on the bird in the foreground indicates it is an immature Mute Swan.
A close-up of out Antipodean friend. Does not show at rest but this species has a large white panel in the wing which is quite unexpected when you see your first in flight.
And here in contrast with a first year Mute Swan – brown in the plumage at rest.
Nothing special: just good light on a ‘landing’ Canada Goose.
All ducks are now in their in breeding plumages. Here is a selection gathered together. At the back a pair of Gadwall, the duck is on the left with an orange bill side. In front of her is a sleeping drake (Common) Teal. At front right a drake (Eurasian) Wigeon.
Another mixed group. At the back left a duck (Common) Shelduck – no swelling at the base of the bill. Back middle and right a pair of (Eurasian) Wigeon. In front of them a pair of (Common) Teal, though the duck is partially obscured by the pair of Gadwall at the front.
A drake Gadwall in all its breeding finery. Note the black rear-end.
And here one is arriving ....
.... twisting its wings to change direction. Note the black-rear end is in fact surrounded by a white tail.
Two noisy drakes in flight. Note the white patch in the wing with a chestnut patch ahead of them. Now why would this species need orange feet?
The wing marking are even more visible on this view.
I think drake Gadwall remain my favourite duck but this drake (Common) Teal runs it close. The long back feathers only present in the breeding season. Great yellow stern.
And the left side of the same individual.
The Teal were being very frisky with the birds chasing around. As this bird did so it exposed the green speculum in its wing.
Two drakes and two duck (Common) Teal. Note the white tail-side on the ducks. They retain this all year and it can be used as an identification feature at surprisingly long range.
Yes: we heard you the first time.
A drake showing the upper-wing pattern well. Looks like it is about to touch down ....
... surprisingly badly!
A pair of Wigeon in flight. Note the white in the forewing of the drake – visible at long range. Normally this species shows a very pale belly and it is a bit of a puzzle why the left-hand bird does not.
The same pair touching down, drake on the left obviously.
A quarter of Shoveler – three drakes being chased by a duck (perhaps!). Note the middle drake is not quite in breeding plumage having a few marks on its white breast. Possibly a first-year bird either late completing its moult or perhaps destined to stay like it this year.
A dual-bodied Shoveler? The Shoveler formation team? Note the blue forewing.
Not a species you see in flight too often. This is a drake Pochard – the chestnut head and pale bill are the key identification features on this view. Rather than any white wing bar the rear of wings of this species are just paler grey with a thin black trailing edge to the primaries.
The black throat identifies this as a male (or just possibly an older female) Grey Wagtail.
While walking around the ‘top field’ a passing group of Fieldfare spooked a flock of ‘finches’ from where they had been invisibly feeding deep amongst the ‘set-aside’. Most of these seemed to be Yellowhammers and this splendid breeding-plumaged male posed in the hedgerow. Just visible is the rusty rump that all Yellowhammers show in all plumages. It can be used to identify birds flushing ahead of your car down country lanes.
(Ed Wilson)
