Today I paid another visit to the Shropshire Ornithological Reserve (SOS) at
Venus Pool. I wanted to try and see Whooper Swans. Two of these birds have been present for several weeks, always leaving before 07:00 and returning 'later in the afternoon'.
I was lucky that 'later' was not too late this afternoon. It is several years since I have seen either of the wild swan species in the UK.
Whooper Swans have more extensive yellow at the base of the bill than the smaller Bewick's Swan.
A preen after the day's feeding on grassland alongside the River Severn and the flight back in.
A wash as well. A juvenile Mute Swan wonders why its parents didn't have a smart yellow bill. [three drake and one duck Shoveler in the background]
One of two pairs of Shelduck present flew off. Here, judging by the size of the swelling at the base of its bill and the width of the breast band, is a drake on its way.
A duck Common Teal.
And a drake.
Again.
Very smart.
Here a pair.
Also smart and showing why one of the local names for Lapwing is Green Plover.
A small proportion of the c.150 present.
A rather enlarged photo of a Common Snipe with its tail spread showing the often obscured orange area in these feathers.
They do have long bills.
A Common Buzzard circled over.
Coming around again.
I'm sure it wasn't looking at me because I was sitting inside a hide, but it sure looks like it is.
Seems it was satisfied with what it had seen and circles on.
There are usually a few Cormorants present. This one leaving has a the breeding condition white thigh-patch. It has very restricted white head plumes – just a few white flecks.
I have mentioned the friendly Robins around Priorslee. At Venus Pool one often comes inside the public hide to pick up crumbs from people's snacks. Here it is helping itself to food provided on a window opening.
Very appealing!
It was not all birds today. As Martin Adlam would have to say because he lives on Portland: a bunny.
(Ed Wilson)
