1-31 January 2011 sightings and blog

 15-31 January 2011 In pics…some fine birds noted, most of my birding has been at WWT. Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, Green-winged Teal, Lesser and Greater Scaups, a wintering Marsh Harrier, one day with a Hen Harrier, a male and female Merlin, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose and more reported species like Bittern, not bad.

Green-winged Teal among it’s mates
On the Top New Piece at WWT Slimbridge

The Lesser Scaup

Marsh Harrier over the Tack Piece

8-14 January 2011 The wetter warmer weather has restored the fantastic winter spectacle of sheer numbers of birds and variety at WWT. The ‘scaups’ are still attracting attention.

Lesser Scaup-first winter female

Greater Scaups-first winter males

Interesting Wigeon
A male with extensive green on the head (we have known these to be called as American) and a female with a white eye ring.

7 January 2011 A damp and grey day, no birding just catching up with some Anser office work and finalising things for the forthcoming book.

4-6 January 2011 More Lesser and Greater Scaup watching plus a few year birds added. The adult Pink-footed Goose remains among the White-fronts. The Coot are happy to run around on the swans backs at feeds!

3 January 2011 After much searching of the site NRS and I finally re-located the Lesser Scaup on the Centre Lake (old Big Pen) among the 300 Tufted Ducks. Also I nearly forgot the Waxwing that I saw and heard flying around the centre this morning!

First winter female Lesser Scaup WWT Slimbridge (First record for the reserve)

Closest bird is a captive adult female. The wild bird is top for comparison.

2 January 2011 The first winter female Lesser Scaup appeared on the Rushy again late afternoon today and was spotted by JSL and NW.

1 January 2011
Happy New Year and best birding to you all.

As I was visiting family in Bournemouth I spent just under an hour at the Sandbanks Ferry in Poole Harbour, Dorset today. Some great birds were viewable such as Great Northern Diver, 2 Eider, a Purple Sandpiper, 100+ Red-breasted Merganser, 30 Goldeneye, 40 DB Brents, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits and more, a good start to the year.

The first winter female Lesser Scaup that I saw on the Rushy on 27 December 2010 and was glimpsed by JSL and MG (Martin Garner) on 30th but flew off and was seen on the South Lake on 1st by Chris Stone.