I ventured out to Canons Farm yesterday afternoon but the
weather was so grim I didn’t even take my camera out of its bag. I logged 24
species before turning tail and heading home.
Today was much brighter with sunny spells so I took a jaunt
down the A3 to Cut Mill Pond which is situated on Puttenham Common. This site
can almost guarantee Goosander in the winter numbers visiting do however vary
each year.
It did not take long to spot a pair at the far end of the
main lake. Before photographing these birds I checked the smaller pond which is
where I have seen small groups in previous winters. A Kingfisher took me by surprise
as I was crossing the road between the ponds. It obviously had more pressing
matters to deal with as it whizzed past me at a rate of knots!
I could not find any other Goosander but located a small
group of Mandarin under the overhanging branches on the far bank. This species originates
from the Far East and was introduced and kept in collections but now have a
significant breeding population in Britain. (Birds
of Surrey by J.Wheatley). They are always a welcome sight for me being part
of the duck family, but despite the male’s colourful plumage can be tricky to
find as “wild” birds are shy and skulk in overhanging vegetation on ponds and
lakes.
I took a walk around the lake negotiating the flooded
footpaths in search of passerines the best of which was a Treecreeper that
could be heard long before I found it climbing the trunk of a pine. I had to wait even longer for a photo opportunity.
I stopped off at Crooksbury Common but apart from
territorial Robin’s you could hear a mouse f*rt on the windswept heath. I gave
this up and made my way back to closer to home where I was unsuccessful in
locating Firecrest.
Not a bad day considering the conditions!
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