January 20th - 23rd

Post date: Jan 25, 2011 7:40:1 PM

A few more bits and pieces worth noting this week. The Whooper Swan remained until the 23rd when sadly I fished it out from the edge of the lake, dead. Reports suggested that the resident cob Mute Swan was seen attacking it on the 20th, after I had seen it at fairly close quarters.

Goldeneye Whooper Swan R.I.P

On the 21st an appointment early on in Kelling was rather fortuitous, as coming out of the village, just before the Mill, I caught sight of a Waxwing in the road side bushes. Parking at the cemetery and walking back, I counted nine in the higher trees further back, shortly afterwards they moved off west. Also here a couple of male Bullfinch.

Waxwing

Bullfinch

My Common Gull scruitiny is revealing to me exactly how variable these birds are, especially 2 c/y birds. However the most interesting of those I've seen no sooner headed off as soon as I picked it out, would have liked to have had a better view of this one...