Venus Pool - Pink-footed Goose etc

A pleasant couple of hours spent at VP this afternoon, produced good numbers of Sand Martins, at least 30 flying high plus a couple of Swallows. With the water dropping, the margins will hopefully turn up a wader or two? He says! The only bird of note, yet another Goose, this time a Pink-foot we ought to call Nelson as something seemed mortally amiss with his right eye...

I've tried to keep the pics tasteful by showing the 'best' side!

Apart from sleeping, a quick wash and flap...

Then a paddle about...

With a lot of territorial disputes going on, a bit of  'pelagic practice' - I even pointed my camera at a Coot!

And an obliging Little Grebe...

Both sides look good on this one!

It's becoming less busy at the moment so hopefully able to get out and about ?  

Venus Pool - Bewicks Swan finale?

The Bewick's Swan has been pretty much a regular fixture in the fields near the Riverside Inn since early January. Roosting at Venus Pool, it's never really given itself up in good light despite dropping in occasionally during the day. I joined Dave Chapman this morning for what might have been a last appearance? It will be off for the summer breeding grounds shortly...

Yet for now, here it was preening in front of the members hide!

Close enough not to need a converter and half decent light!

A quick drink...

Before paddling over to the far bank...

Lining up with the Mute Swans , I was hoping for a head on departure? It didn't happen...

One or two 'fly united'moments!

 And then gone (for now)...