Melverley Floods - Whoopers etc!

Seem to be striking lucky lately and an afternoon in the Melverley Floods turned out well with Whooper Swans showing well albeit at distance! There were 23 visible (and maybe more nearby) including two family groups which flew in during the afternoon...

First things first, another new bird for the year - Tree Sparrow (here's 2) amongst the hedgerows, feeding with House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Yellowhammer...

Another Great White Egret too, this is one of TWO present. The second bird was only seen at great distance!

The best views of the Whooper Swans were during arrivals...

A bit of 'out of beat' synchro flight from parent with juv....

 And as this group finished their taxi to the far side of the water, a flash of yellow was in view!

More to come...

Severn flood plain - Whooper Swans

I had a cruise (not literally) around the  Severn flood plain in the Pentre / Melverley / Edgerley area which has been deluged in recent weeks by severe flooding and now accessible. I was very fortunate too, as the land, now gradually reappearing, still held enough flood water to keep the swans happy and in view! There were plenty of Mutes but I was hoping for Whooper Swans and with a count of 19 for an hour long session, I had to be pleased...

I'd have settled for one!

But at quite a few of my stopping places, the calls were all around and they were clearly 'roaming'...

The car makes the perfect mobile 'hide'! Firstly a group of three landing in front of me...

Not to be outdone, I also found additional groups of six and ten (all adults) as the day veered from misty to bright! Here's a count-down to what happened next... Five...

Four...

Yes, you know what's coming when they have that 'gonna fly jizz'... Three...

Two...

Off they go...

In perfect synchro unison :-)

Looking back, I think this was my favourite image?

Magic moments indeed!