19/01/2013 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

Grey Heron: A scene played out on the main scrape at BMW which was truly amazing!

The main scrape was completely frozen, and had been for a few days except for a few broken parts in the ice.

There were few birds around except for a Greylag Goose and a handful of Teal until a very hungry and  adaptable Grey Heron flew in from the reeds at the back.

The bird made a bee-line for a solitary Teal which was happily mulling around in one of the broken pools within the ice.

The Heron grabbed the Teal and started to dunk it in and out of the exposed water in an attempt to drown the bird! The Teal tried to flap and struggle for a good five minutes, until it broke free.

Teal: The lucky duck shot off around the visitor centre and landed in the old fishery pool next to the reception hide, from hot pursuit of the hungry Heron.

This was a bit of brilliant bird behaviour, I've seen Heron's take Frogs and Fish and I have been told stories of them taking Water Rail but never an adult Duck!


It goes to show how hard wildlife are finding the recent cold snap and how adaptable Herons are.

26/12/2012 Leighton Moss RSPB

 

****MERRY CHRISTMAS****
              
Teal: I was lucky enough to be dropped off at Leighton on Boxing Day, only an hour but nice to be out and about with the camera.





I didn't see all that much but this stunning drake Teal was showing well from Lillian’s Hide, now last time I was sitting here I saw my first Otter but today I was happy to settle for a few ducks.

 

Tree Creeper: Stuck behind a large festive Boxing Day guided walk on the narrow paths of Leighton Moss and they spotted this Tree Creeper feeding on a moss covered branch. There was also a Marsh Tit and Coal Tit feeding on the same branch where someone had placed some seed.

18/02/2012 Martin Mere WWT

Whooper Swans: 0ver 100 Whoopers at Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetland Trust is such a spectacular sight.









Teal: There where 2 drake Teal very close to Swanlink Hide showing really well dabbling in the water.

Great to see such a small wildfowl in such close quarters instaed off in the distance through the scope!






Reed Bunting: Along with this female Reed Bunting there where several males, Green Finch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and the usual Tits alomg with a Willow Tit seen from the Janet Kear Hide.