Signs of Spring

I hadn't been at Hogganfield for about 3 weeks and the most obvious change was the far greater number of Lesser Black Backed Gulls that had arrived. Sometimes overlooked as a migrant and undeniably a sign of the advancing Spring.



Lesser Black Backed Gull - adult

  





























Also of note today was Great Crested Grebe, that had increased to 4:




Great Crested Grebe

  



Great Crested Grebe - Displaying

 































Interestingly no Little Grebes have yet returned and given the national cull that is still in progress, more worryingly no Ruddy Ducks yet either.

Other wildfowl of note included a raft of c20 Pochard, Teal, smaller numbers of Goldeneye evidencing their probable northward reorientation by now and only 5 Whooper Swans now remain.

Spent a good time digiscoping, I am trying to move away from apperture priority and was fully manual today. My goal is to develop the hobby into full SLR photography in the coming year. Funds permitting ofcourse.

Some attempts on manual, photoshop enhanced ofcourse........................what a cop out.



Grey Lag goose




Mute Swan




Drake Tufted Duck





















Whooper Swan - 1 of 5 remaining






















Grey Heron