Venus Pool - Stonechat

Probably the one I saw on NYD, this long-staying male Stonechat finally gave itself up for me today -  totally out of character with how obliging it was! Mobile at first, I would have been happy with these more 'distant' views!

But then it seemed to prefer one particular branch, time to try various backgrounds?

Yep, I couldn't make my mind up so needed to compare all three here!

Melverley Floods - Whooper swans

This was my fourth visit to the area which had been pretty unproductive on the Whooper Swan front! Today however, I was looking at a decent number, nineteen in total and they were not too distant!

There were two family group, here with two juvs (plus one)...

Adults were randomly scattered around...

Another family group, this time with three juvs!

The interaction between swans wasn't always good natured as the pair of Mute Swans who considered this area as home, kept trying to evict the interlopers (even various other Mutes too!)

It was mostly posturing and spitting none of the swans  really gave way

Wingflaps too!

Finally order was restored with no victor declared!

Filling the frame this time!

The big family serenely paddling to quieter waters!

My annual Whooper fix at last!

Melverley Floods - Red Kite

I was meant to be concentrating on the swans but spotted some movement out of the corner of eye... A Red Kite...

Into some blue sky...

Probably the first worthwhile images of the the year? Blue sky has been a limited commodity for a month or so!!

 

Venus Pool - Black-tailed Godwit

There's been a Black-tailed Godwit (now in its second week) and every time I've seen it, always hunkered down on the middle island... Thanks to a Sparrowhawk flushing the Lapwing flock, it took off with them, still distant but much better views!

The Great White Egret is now becoming almost daily in appearance, amongst another throng of Cormorants - counted 61 present today (after 67 present on Christmas eve)

Venus Pool - Great White Egret

Another visit by presumably the same Great White Egret seen during the past couple of months and today in less than favourable light! A familiar pattern of behaviour with the local Heron...

Hmm looks quiet today, a few gulls and ducks?

Nope! Here comes the less than welcoming Heron!

Repeat several times...

Maybe I'll try again tomorrow?

Venus Pool - hungry Cormorant

 It never fails to amaze me how 'fish eating' birds can pull off the impossible and swallow outrageous specimens! Like this Common Carp being casually tossed to it's doom by a Cormorant on Christmas eve at Venus Pool!

It's all a matter of stifling any 'fight' and then aligning the catch....

A stretchy gape and oesophagus plus willpower are all that's needed!

I counted 67 Cormorant today... Merry Christmas!!

Whixall Floods - Grey Phalarope

My third Grey Phalarope in Shropshire didn't exactly prove to be a showy success on Sat 13th when it was truly a distant dot!! Two days later I jammed onto it much closer and some decent pics were at last forthcoming...

Plus a plethora of droplet pics, on this cruise past always smart to see! 

All that activity seemed to wear it out and a rest on the bank beckoned!

Shame about the light and white water!