Cranmere Bog - White-fronted Geese

Cranmere Bog continues to pull in the Geese and the latest additions to the winter list was a group of five Russian White-fronted Geese. The Gyppo had departed but with the six Tundra Beans it made for an impressive sight - albeit at a fair distance!

So, record shots strictly the order of the day but what a record!

The 'Birds of a feather' rule was strictly adhered to initially...

But became a little more random as they fed.

And then seemed intent on a drink and wash...

Couldn't get on them all but here's the White-fronts dropping in

Then getting ready to return to the field!

Whilst I got the Tundras Beans flying out!

The Bewick's Swans were still in the usual field at Cound, four of them but they were well split up!

At least the four Whooper Swans stuck together!

Not a bad mornings work for Shropshire and the January tally (not to be added to as another throat virus kicked in) moved on to 101 with the White-fronts :-)

Keep 'em coming - Egyptian Goose etc...

Another couple of gull roosts at the Mere on the 17th and 18th had resulted in just Yellow-legged Gulls although a count of 338 Wigeon was impressive for the site! A drive around a few locations on the 20th had 'inched' the January Shropshire challenge onto '90' with Red Grouse seen in flight on the Longmynd and several Red-legged Partridge in the Upton Magna - Walcott area...

I headed over Cranmere for the Egyptian Goose, not immediately on view but the six Tundra Bean Geese were still on show...

And then look what flew back in! It wasn't for long either as the Beans had a right go at it and off it went again....

This time I could see where is had disappeared to, over the road behind the farm!

The good news was the views were better!

But after a short while, it was clearly restless and flew back to the 'usual field'

I'd love to be showing you now a few images of the Chelmarsh Common Scoter! I took about a 100 images, downloaded them to the PC, deleted them off the card and then likewise off the PC (accidently) Bloody annoying and just glad Martyn got some nice images!

I need some rescue software and might be able to get them off the card? If anyone local has got this - let me know!! So the challenge now sits on 92 species....