Leighton Moss

A read at a birder's blog put me in the notion to do Leighton Moss and with a days flexi booked off I was at the visitor's centre for c9:30 am on a cold but reasonably bright morning.

First stop was Lillian's hide where there were a few common Ducks as well as a few Snipe. About 5 female Pheasant were feeding close to the hide including this one :

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I quickly picked out several Marsh Tit feeding in trees close to the Visitor' Centre and there were several vocal Nuthatchs:

and Treecreepers :

The woodland feeders were equally productive:

Next I headed down to the Allen Pools in search of the 5 Russian White Fronts. They were in with Greylags near the level crossing:

The Allen Pools themselves provided Avocet & Black Tailed Godwit and a single Spotted Redshank:

The afternoon was spent hoping for Bittern from the Public hide but there was no show. I did however see 1 Marsh Harrier and kept myself busy with some of the Ducks:

Fog 'n' Mist

Weather forecast  for today looked really good today for a trip to Dumfries & Galloway. Got up at 6:15 am & it looked dry & clear. However, 50 yards down the road in Cambuslang it was foggy & it remained that way on and off until I got to Lochmaben just after 9am.

I had intended to stop at Lochmaben but it was so foggy that I drove on to Caerlaverock. Here it looked more promising as you could see the sun above the mist & surely it would only be a matter of time before the mist cleared. Unfortunately, that was wishful thinking & it remained foggy all day. Nonetheless, it didn't really spoil the day & I made full use of the camera and just tried to make the best of the 'diffuse' light.

Reed Bunting - several feeding on seed along the avenue

This Wren was so busy feeding it allowed a really close approach

Chaffinch

This Gadwall was close in to the windows on the Whooper Pond. The only downside is that you are shooting through glass !

Great Tit

Greenfinch

Stock Dove - Fairly distant from the Newfield Hide - one of at least 3 birds present

Mute Swan

Doing this kind of bill quivering thing with its neck extended - pity about the poor light

Pintail

Allowing a close approach on the Whooper Pond

Water Rail

1 of up to 4 feeding on the flooded area around the feeders on the Peter Scott trail. The light is a problem with the overhanging trees

Whooper Swan

Flying onto the Folly Pond to roost

Wigeon

Yellowhammer - Several feeding in the hedges & o the ground along the avenue. Quite flighty though!

Wigeon

I also added the drake Green Winged Teal on to the year list. In its usual place on the Folly Pond.