Big Waters....Whoopers

A couple of hours at Big waters in the company of Whooper Swans which eventually came to the shore giving fantastic views , also a Water Rail came out along the far edge, the usual Tree Sparrows etc: on the feeders this is one of the best places to get good views of  Tree Sparrow, Two Great Crested Grebes  amongst the Wigeon and Gadwall , birds would get flushed from the edge in a panic and I was hoping for Otter but none where seen , a ring -tail passed over the corner which I missed,4 Common Darter sunning themselves on a fence rail ,the first I have seen for awhile and probably the last I will see for awhile !!

When the birds are settled on the edge of the scrape it gives fantastic opportunities to have some close views

After being on view mostly all upending (good chance to look for Darvic rings) they all flew to the scrape and settled to preen or sleep ,this one giving the classical and evocative honking call   !!!!

A very pleasant and tranquil scene as they all settled down, with the odd bird taking the time to relax.

Big Waters........11-10-09

I have been to Big Waters for awhile so I thought I would have a run there on Wednesday, 3 and then 2 Roe Deer out in the fields as I drove along the A19, it was bright when I arrived but soon became dull with some light rain although I seem to have missed the worst.
The Otter showed after about 30 mins feeding along the north side at one point it looked as though it was going onto the island , always a number of Tree Sparrows on the feeders , probably one of the easiest places to see them, a Sparrowhawk tried for one just below me it was all over in a flash, not sure if it got one or not ,it was some time before the birds returned in numbers.
Great Crested Grebe, a few assorted duck , 3 Goldeneye, a couple of snipe over , the water level very high ,where has all this water come from must have been some heavy rains through the nights.
Kingfisher put in a brief appearance no time to get a photo it flew off to the right of the hide probably to the willows to fish from.

This looked a little bit like a face, and no my nose is not as big as that !!

Digiscoped the Goldeneye

View from the front of the hide

and view from the side