There were three Shelducks. I think this is a pair. The closer bird is an adult male with the bright red bill with a swollen base. The other bird looks to be a first year male with a less-bright bill and less obvious swollen base. Females lack the swollen base and usually show some white on the face. Strangely the chestnut breast band on these birds differs in width. I had thought it was wider on males. Checking I was right: the females band is narrower than either of these birds.
It seemed that "three's a crowd" and one seems determined to show who is boss.
"Off you go".
All serene here.
There were over 500 Lapwings present: good to see. As usual they were 'jumpy' and all took to the air whenever a Carrion Crow came too close. Here are eight...
...and nine here.
Occasionally one flew close...
...like this...
...and this...
...and this. Last flight shot.
The head plumes are longer at the approach of the breeding season. The white fringes to the back feathers that were prominent after the Autumn moult are now almost worn away.
Very smart
An unusual pairing with a Lapwing and Shelduck flying together.
Unlike the Lapwings all the Common Snipe stayed semi-hidden in the grass.
A lone Oystercatcher made an occasional noisy fly-past. The bill on this bird looks very 'washed out' and I did wonder whether it is a first year bird. These normally show a white or pale chin-strap which this does not show. Perhaps it has moulted that out.
The skies overhead were quiet apart from a few Wood Pigeons. Here is one.
Although I am no fan of Magpies I could not resist this one catching the light to show the green and purple sheen to the wings and tail visible when the light is at the correct angle.
The public hide has a very bold Robin that happily comes inside amongst the birdwatchers. It never seems to get trapped when everyone leaves and closes the windows.
A few Lesser Redpolls were scratching about on the ground. Here is a male. Note the stubby yellow bill.
Two males tuck in to whatever they had found to eat. I did not note any females – these have a smaller red 'poll' (crown) and the bill is less obviously yellow.
This is a rather paler bird. There are other species of redpoll that do turn up on the UK in winter and these species are paler and some are frosty-looking. I cannot convince myself this is pale-enough.
(Ed Wilson)
