Today I dropped in to SOS Reserve at Venus Pool. As previously noted the public hides are now available with the windows and doors fixed open to minimise the possibility of Covid transmission. A few images from the visit:
Definite highlight was the presence of Wood Sandpiper. A larger relative of Common Sandpiper with obvious spotting on its back and a pronounced supercilium.
There were two birds present. Note the greeny-yellow legs. They often look small-headed, as here.
This species passes through inland waters in small numbers on both Spring and Autumn migration but rarely stays long and is not an easy species to catch up with. I think it is 20 years since I have seen one in the UK. True to form, within the hour these two left together flying off high - er, North! Africa is the other way guys.
For good measure two short videos. Note here that this species pumps its tail in typical sandpiper fashion though not as spiritedly as Common Sandpipers.
And again. The premature end occurred when a Jackdaw called and this skittish species took evasive action. [I must work out how to turn the sound off on the camera!]
Rather similar in size is this Green Sandpiper. Only in certain lights at the height of the breeding season does it look 'green'. Mostly this species looks very dark on the back. It may have a few spots on the back and wing-edges: it never looks speckled as does Wood Sandpiper.
A small group of Black-tailed Godwits were present. Here two snooze while it rains gently.
One standing to attention here, showing its long bill. The closely-related Bar-tailed Godwit is much less common inland and cane be separated on the ground by shorter legs and a bill that is noticeable recurved. It would not show a white rump - as seen here.
During my last two visits I have seen no Canada Geese - only Greylags, shown here returning. Nine geese all with their mouths closed - does not happen often!
Today I made a visit to the SOS Reserve at Venus Pool. For the first time since the start of the first Covid lock-down the public hide is now open with the door all the viewing portals fixed open. It provided welcome shelter from the heavy showers. Middle of summer is not the best time to visit but I managed a few images:
There were plenty of Greylag Geese and strangle no Canadas. Many of the geese left – here two head off in a tidy formation. The pale forewing of this species shows well.
Four more departing
A few individuals arrived. One about to splash down.
Good to see a few Lapwings. Not in the best of plumages at this time of year but still a green gloss on the back. One of the country names for this species is Green Plover.
The other species of wader present was this Common Sandpiper. A Green Sandpiper had been reported. I did not see it.
A juvenile Black-headed Gull starting to acquire a few pale grey feathers in its mantle as it moults in to first-winter plumage. Very recently fledged juveniles are almost chocolate-brown but this soon fades to the paler brown seen here.
In reflective mood.
A rather ungainly touch down from this Grey Heron, all the feathers ruffled by the air currents as it effectively 'stalls'. In the background three drake Mallards. They are in eclipse plumage and be identified as drakes by the pale green-yellow bill.
More or less settled to go fishing.
This plume moth flushed from vegetation and stayed to pose for me. I think the spotting on curled up wings indicate this is a Common Plume (Emmelina monodactyla). Makes a change to see these in the light and get a better idea of their true tone.
