Beside the Lake

Sun coming down on swan lake

20^th Nov. I spent a short time down by the lake today. It was good to see growing numbers of Goosander. I counted thirteen, seven of them male. Most of the Cormorants were standing on the bare floating ‘thing’. There were seventeen of them in total. I counted sixty-one Canada Geese, nine Greylag Geese which includes the family of seven still staying in one party, and only one Goldeneye. There seems still to be few Pochard this year. There were of course the regular inhabitants. Gulls seen were Black Headed, Common appearing to grow in numbers, Herring and the odd Great Black Backed Gull.

On my walk to the lake I remember only seeing and hearing, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tit and of course the usual corvids and pigeons. A small flock of Goldfinch was seen on my return.

A Look at the Lake

18^th Jan. Spurred on by John’s ( Sedgedunumwarbler ) recent post about a return to normal on the ponds, and to loosen up for more intensive birding tomorrow, I took a look at Killingworth Lake today. It was pleasing to the eye to see no ice, a lake thriving in birds, common ones but no matter, and the sun reflected upon the water. The later point a bit misleading as it was still damn cold with a coating of thin ice on patches of the fields I crossed.

It was good to see a lone male Goosander on the smaller lake along with Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Coot and Moorhen. Gulls in the main were Black Headed and Common Gull.

When I crossed to the larger lake I quickly found four more male Goosanders with a lone female and there was at least two female and one male Goldeneye nearby. The lake was covered in Canada Geese and I suspect my recent estimate of eighty birds was some what under played. The numbers of Mute Swans definitely seem to be higher than in recent times and amongst the Canada Geese resting on the edge of the lake were two Greylag Geese. Most of the Pochard were on the larger lake and in the main taking a nap. The lake was more active with birds today thasn I have seen it for a long time. I took a look at the gulls but saw nothing out of the ordinary, but it wasn’t really a long look.:-) Along with those already mentioned were Herring Gull and a couple of young Great Black Back. I think Tom ( AughtonBirder ) and I will be having a session or two with gulls in the near future. We need to get our eyes in. I want to be ready when a Slaty-backed Gull arrives on patch :-)

Back On Track.

Peaceful Patch

Whoopers at Martin Mere

15th Nov. Having been down to Martin Mere with the group yesterday, seven hours travelling for four hours birding, I was rather relieved to be able to take a quiet stroll on patch today. Although Martin Mere held its attractions in all honesty I wasn’t that impressed although I suppose I have recently been spoilt by my trip to the Scottish Islands. There were lots of waterfowl in Lancashire of course and the numbers of Whooper Swans was impressive, but the pick of the day for me was the two Peregrine Falcons on a telegraph poll that I watched as each individually took to flight, both have stretched and exercised the wings. I was pleased to watch overhead the Starlings coming into roost just as we were getting prepared to leave. The group’s day list came to sixty-one species.

I decided today’s weather was too good to let pass by without a walk on patch so I made for the lake. There were many anglers out today, but not too many birds! The Grey Heron was in its usual position beside the smaller lake and there were growing flocks of Black Headed and Common Gulls otherwise little about this area other than Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot and Moorhen. Corvids fed in the fields which were a quagmire after the heavy rains.

I counted fifty-one Canada Geese near the larger lake and reckon their numbers are increasing each winter. There were so far only two Goosanders on the lake with the odd Goldeneye and many more of the species seen on the smaller lake.
As I walked back at 3.00pm in the already fading light I reflected on the walks I had in spring and summer. I do like the skies at this time of year and look forward to some sky watching throughout the winter