Otter

And I don't mean the weather.

As I stood gazing through the bins this morning, at the other side of the lake, I heard an almighty splash! Too big for a diving duck.

I put the bins down, and stared at the ripples in the water.

About twenty feet away, a head broke the surface of the water, and we both stared at each other for what seemed like an age; but the reality was just a second. Then the head dived. The brief second we stared at each other, was enough to recognise the 'head', as that of an Otter.

He resurfaced further out in the lake another half a dozen times in the hour I stood waiting for a picture. No picture, but a moment embedded in my mind.

The first time I've ever seen an Otter in the lake.

I eventually made my way round the north lake, and found the second Reed Warbler calling from the reeds past the bandstand. He's a difficult one to spot though.

A couple of Mallards seem to have taken a liking to sitting on the roofs of the houses.

 Must be a great view from up there.

A male Mute Swan was taking great delight in chasing away any young swan that dared to be in his line of sight. And very pleased with himself he looked, too.

Up by the pub, I could only find one Oystercatcher on the grass;

along with a group of Mallards and geese.

As I started walking the south lake, I could hear the sound of a Sedge Warbler, coming from some brambles.

He only gave me a quick glimpse though, before he dived for cover.

At the far end of the lake, the usual Warblers were warbling away, and a male Blackcap gave me some good views as he turned up at a bramble bush with some nesting material.

He later posed in some branches while he had a preening session.

By the bird pallets, four young Coots were swimming around, and being fed by mum and dad;

and six Tufted Duck were cruising the waters too.

Eventually, back at the car park, a quick look for the Reed Warbler, in the hope of getting a picture in the sunlight, a fly over by a Mute Swan,

and in front of the pub, some Mallards hurriedly making their way to a group of people dishing out some bread.

A great morning.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

British Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major anglicus)

Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

British Jay (Garrulus glandarius rufitergum)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  39

Three Oystercatchers and a Common Sandpiper

A very short video today, because the camera continues to play up; I can't recharge one of the flat batteries, the other won't last very much longer, and the new camera doesn't arrive till Wednesday.

Bugger!

After topping up the feeders, I headed straight to the reeds, to catch sight of the calling Reed Warbler.

A shame the light wasn't better, but the sun soon began to make an appearance as I made my way round the north lake.

Some coloured marker buoys were stretched across the water; there was to be a Dragon Boat Race later. Much noise, crowds and distraction.

Thankfully I'll be away before all this happens.

I fed the pair of Mallards under the road bridge, and leaving them behind, I was soon at the reed bed up near the island, listening to the second Reed Warbler. No sign of him though.

A Cormorant was fishing in the sunlight though,

and a single Kingfisher sat in the trees on the island.

I made my way up to the top end of the lake, and found a Coot sitting on his nest.

A very grand affair. More like a tower block; impressively tall.

As I made my way along the path towards the weir, my mobile rang.

It was Trevor; he was under the road bridge on the other side of the lake.

We arranged to meet up at the road bridge, and continue round the south lake.

Very little else on the water, and as I began to make my way round the back of the pub, a Mute Swan flew by,

 backlit by the sun.

Past the pub, and lots of activity as a group of people were setting up for the boat race.

I met Trevor, and we made our way towards the shrubs where I'd seen the Sedge Warbler yesterday.

No luck today though. We searched and strained our ears to no avail.

Even checking along the edge of the river; but nothing.

We carried on round the lake.

As we got the far end, we met Graham. A quick chat, and then we made our way to the bird pallets; and then on to where the Mute Swan had been nesting.

Graham showed us where he'd found one of the swans eggs; undamaged.

It's looking more like 'human' involvement in the destruction of the nest site.

As we got near the rowing club, there were plenty of boats out on the south lake.

Dragon Boats on the north, and rowing boats on the south.

Who'd be a water bird at the weekends?

As we passed the jetties, and made our way round by the houses, a small bird flew by, and landed back by the rowing club.

 A Common Sandpiper.

He didn't stay there long though; too much activity going on, so he flew across to Cormorant island. As he settled, a couple more birds flew in, calling loudly.

Oystercatchers!

Not the usual two, but three.

They settled on the island, and began some display.

The display usually associated with a mating male, except there were two displaying, and one just seemed to be ignoring the whole thing.

Was this two males vying for the attention of a female?

Maybe........but certainly fascinating to watch.

Back by the car park area, we searched for the calling Reed Warbler, and took some pictures of one of the many Cuckooflowers growing there.

And a parting picture before we headed off, of a calling Chiffchaff.

An excellent morning; just a shame about all the boats.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk [sp] (Accipiter nisus)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  44

Wind and rain

A strong southerly wind, bringing with it quite heavy rain.

Goodness, I sound like the start of one of Mr. Evans's bird reports.

It rained, and it was windy. 'orrible weather.

I just did the north lake this morning, and then gave up, and headed for the shops, for some supplies.

Quite a few Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins flying around in front of the pub, three Common Terns battling their way through the wind, to get on the south lake, and the pair of Oystercatchers were foraging in front of the pub, along with a large number of Starlings.

Interesting to see three Pochard on the lake; I thought they had all gone, and still a couple of Tufted Duck around.

Not much of anything else though.

I did manage a picture of the Oystercatchers in the rain though.

And now the sun is out........typical!!

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

Total species  27

Swallows, Yellow Wagtails and Grebes that fight

A frosty morning, wisps of mist over the lake, and beautiful sunshine.

Perfect return after a weekend away from here.

The frost weighed the heads of the Cowslips down,

but the birds were singing with their heads held high.

Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Robin, Blackbird; and the biggest voice of all belonged to the tiny Wren.

 A powerhouse of a vocalist, considering his size.

Round the north lake, and over by the pub, the pair of Oystercatchers were with a group of geese; and the Lesser Black-backed Gull was in his usual spot, on the boat jetty. Sat on one of the buoys, was a Common Tern.

Up by the Kingfishers nest, and a possible disaster.

Two Magpies were hanging around the nest site, and no sign of the Kingfishers.

My guess is they've abandoned the site, which would be a great shame.

Further round the lake, and skimming over the water, were at least a dozen Sand Martins, joined by half a dozen Swallows.

Up by the weir, I met up with Graemme, and he joined me walking round the rest of the lake.

At the pub, a pair of Yellow Wagtails were foraging in the grass,

along with a few Pied Wagtails.

One of the Oystercatchers came in for a landing at the boat jetty,

and a group of Swallows were taking a deserved rest on the roof of the rowing club.

A long flight from Africa.

We made our way towards the south lake, and the sound of Chiffchaff seemed to be everywhere.

Towards the far end of the lake we finally caught up with a couple, and managed some pictures.

Past the offices, and a quick look in the bushes opposite found soon found a calling Willow Warbler.

As we made our way towards the rowing club, the sound of angry Great Crested Grebes.

Two males, I'm guessing, arguing over territory.

I managed to catch a small bit on video; one male trying unsuccessfully to drown the other. Nature can seem cruel at times.

Eventually we were back at the car park. A quick check on the feeders; not busy, and then time to go.

An enjoyable first day back, after chasing Ring Ouzels at Ivinghoe Beacon over the weekend.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Little Egret [sp] (Egretta garzetta)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

Yellow Wagtail [sp] (Motacilla flava)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  37

Fog, and some loving.

An early start at the lake this morning, but unfortunately it was thick fog.

Very thick.

After topping up the feeders, and filming some of the singing stars, I made my way round the north lake. In some places the fog seemed thicker than others; the thickest was in the middle of the lake.

Some of the reed areas were beautifully lit by the sun, as it started to burn through the fog.

No sign of the Kingfishers this morning, but a few Mallards were perched in some unusual places.

 The roof of a house........

 ....and someone's garden fence.

At the top end of the lake, by the dam, the sun had slowly begun to work its magic,

gradually burning through the fog.

As I made my way round to the pub, a text came through.

Trevor was in the car park.

I hurried on to the car park, and after a quick coffee, we made our way round the north lake again; this time in sunshine. The fog had cleared.

First bird we spotted was a Common Tern on one of the buoys; then about a dozen Sand Martins, and a couple of House Martins.

Great to see these birds again, after their long journeys from their wintering places.

Almost up at the dam, and we spotted a pair of Great Crested Grebes performing the 'head waggle'.

After a quick performance, one submerged. The weed dance?

Up he came, with a bill full of weed, and soon the second bird was racing towards him, with a bill full of weed too.

Managed to catch it on video.

Further on round the lake, we saw a Swallow, and as we eventually neared the pub, a pair of Canada Geese were involved in some 'head dipping', the way Mute Swans do prior to some loving.

Video camera at the ready, and another loving moment captured.

The south lake held the usual regulars, along with some firemen testing some of their equipment down by the rowing club.

Finally as we neared Cormorant island, the pair of Oystercatchers flew by, and landed on the island.

Another great morning.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Buzzard [sp] (Buteo buteo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  38

Crows nesting and a Blackcap

Foggy start again, but sun later.

The squirrel continues to wreak havoc on one of the new 'squirrel proof' bird feeders.

I think the holes for the seed are too big, and he's scooping it out.

A Blackbird was singing his morning song from the treetops, and a Chiffchaff was calling from around the car park. Plenty of Magpies enjoying the bread and biscuit too.

After feeding the Mallards under the road bridge, I carried on up towards the island.

Far too foggy to see if the Kingfishers were about, but I did spot a Little Grebe.

 A nice surprise, because I only usually see these on the south lake.

The Canada Geese were quieter this morning, and a Green Woodpecker was digging away at one of the trees. I could hear some Wigeon out on the water, but too foggy to see them. Another Chiffchaff calling round here too, but equally invisible.

At the top end, a couple of Goosander swam off into the fog, and soon disappeared from view.

Once I was up by the pub, the sun was starting to burn through the fog making it easier to see out on the water. A Kingfisher flew past, and settled in the bushes by the boat jetty; until a jogger ran past. A couple of boats were now out on the water, and the Daffodils were looking radiant, as the sun tried to skip over them.

I made my way under the road bridge, and the walk round the south lake was bathed in sunlight. Lots of geese and swans taking to the air, as more boats powered their way through the water, in their relentless journey up and down the length of the lake.

At the far end a Chiffchaff calling by the railway, a couple of Little Grebe swimming around, and five Goosander swimming briefly by the island, until they took off, and flew further down the lake, away from the boats.

I watched a Crow snapping branches from the trees to build his nest, and then watched amazed as another Crow attacked him, while he was on his nest.

A brief skirmish, and then it was all over. One flew one way, and the other flew in the opposite direction.

Walking past the offices, I could hear a sound I haven't heard yet this year. A calling Blackcap.

 I eventually managed to find him. A lovely male, flitting through the branches of a tree, and calling as he went.

I carried on to where the Robin is usually waiting, left him some seed, and then spotted a Wren.

 A couple of quick shots before he disappeared into the bushes.

Past the rowing club, and up towards Cormorant island.

The Mute Swan was doing some adjustments to her nest, the Great Black-backed Gull was busily staring into space, and the pair of Oystercatchers were just chilling in the now warm sunshine.

At the car park I could hear the Chiffchaff in the trees, another Blackcap, and a Goldfinch, posing against the now blue sky.

And to round off an enjoyable morning, a clump of Lesser Celandine, shining in the sunlight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Goosander (Mergus merganser merganser)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Buzzard [sp] (Buteo buteo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  37

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Don't forget to put your clocks forward.