From following the excellent Bird Guides website I learned of a bird that had been spotted over a number of days at Priory country park. It's called a Ferruginous Duck. Aside from not having heard of this species, or even what it looked like, I also have to confess to not even know how it should be pronounced. Some research revealed that it is also known as a Ferruginous Pochard or a Fudge Duck. This latter name I can only assume comes from its risk chestnut or dark caramel colouring.
I soon located the lone specimen in a mix of Tufted and Northern Pochard ducks. In the poor light the colour was not easily discernible and I imagine the rich warm colours are saved for their breeding plumage.
It was interesting to be able to learn of and observe a new species close to home, and it reinforces the breadth of variey in the avian world.
Sunday 24 February 2013
Saturday 9 February 2013
A Bitter-n Winter's Day!
After the heavy snow and very cold spell had passed I ventured on to my local patch by visiting the Tring reservoirs. It was a crisp, bright but still cold day, and much snow lingered in the countryside on the way.
Nonetheless, with light winds and bright winter light, it made for a good day in the field. The recent perennial rain, aided by the start of some snow melt, had brought about high water levels on the Startops and Marsworth bodies. These were being enjoyed by a variety of waterfowl including large numbers of tufted duck along with Widgeon, Teal, and the ubiquitous Mallards and Moorhen. I scanned the water for Red Crested Pochard, which I and my girlfriend have seen there before, and is a particular favourite of hers, but to no avail. These striking, and local examples, appear to have an itinerant streak and are somewhat mobile, and I presume these are the same ones seen nearby recently at College Lake. Instead I watched some Northern, or Common, Pochard. A graceful Grey Wagtail put in an appearance on the reservoirs edge whilst I was looking and soon joined by his Pied cousin.
For me the Marsworth reservoir is the more handsome, with its aspect bounded by hedgerows, row of Poplars on the far bank and a swathe of reeds offering opportunities for Buntings of that name. I have read too that it is a favourite roost for the increasingly scarce Corn Bunting. However, I was too early for the opportunity of this spectacle and instead concentrated on finding an elusive bird which I had seen only in East Anglia. A couple of Bittern have regularly wintered at Tring and I hoped to find one on my own patch. After forty minutes scanning of the reeds, during which I was treated to the iridescent spectacle of two flighty Kingfishers, I finally caught sight of a Bittern gently stepping across a cutting in the reeds. He was not that far away in the beds, and, with my scope, I enjoyed the best view of this bird I have ever had, and was afforded the chance to admire the perfect camouflage of his plumage. A hard bird to find, for me, but rewarding of the effort.
Only moments after the Bittern had returned to the reeds, I spied a Water Rail skulking in the sparser reeds and gently walking across the thin, remaining ice at the shallow edges. This particular individual seemed less shy than other members of his species I have usually only glimpsed, and, as with the Bittern, I was able to watch him for some time before I decided to press on.
An excellent day in lovely weather crowned by birds one is not privy to finding too often.
26th Jan 2013
Nonetheless, with light winds and bright winter light, it made for a good day in the field. The recent perennial rain, aided by the start of some snow melt, had brought about high water levels on the Startops and Marsworth bodies. These were being enjoyed by a variety of waterfowl including large numbers of tufted duck along with Widgeon, Teal, and the ubiquitous Mallards and Moorhen. I scanned the water for Red Crested Pochard, which I and my girlfriend have seen there before, and is a particular favourite of hers, but to no avail. These striking, and local examples, appear to have an itinerant streak and are somewhat mobile, and I presume these are the same ones seen nearby recently at College Lake. Instead I watched some Northern, or Common, Pochard. A graceful Grey Wagtail put in an appearance on the reservoirs edge whilst I was looking and soon joined by his Pied cousin.
For me the Marsworth reservoir is the more handsome, with its aspect bounded by hedgerows, row of Poplars on the far bank and a swathe of reeds offering opportunities for Buntings of that name. I have read too that it is a favourite roost for the increasingly scarce Corn Bunting. However, I was too early for the opportunity of this spectacle and instead concentrated on finding an elusive bird which I had seen only in East Anglia. A couple of Bittern have regularly wintered at Tring and I hoped to find one on my own patch. After forty minutes scanning of the reeds, during which I was treated to the iridescent spectacle of two flighty Kingfishers, I finally caught sight of a Bittern gently stepping across a cutting in the reeds. He was not that far away in the beds, and, with my scope, I enjoyed the best view of this bird I have ever had, and was afforded the chance to admire the perfect camouflage of his plumage. A hard bird to find, for me, but rewarding of the effort.
Only moments after the Bittern had returned to the reeds, I spied a Water Rail skulking in the sparser reeds and gently walking across the thin, remaining ice at the shallow edges. This particular individual seemed less shy than other members of his species I have usually only glimpsed, and, as with the Bittern, I was able to watch him for some time before I decided to press on.
An excellent day in lovely weather crowned by birds one is not privy to finding too often.
26th Jan 2013
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