Sunday, December 13, 2009

Wigeon & a rare bird on Ringstone!

5 Wigeon and the odd sight of a migrant Moorhen following them around on the water early this morning. I checked the old Ringstone Blog and noted that one was seen on 18/03/06 and it is certainly a new species for me at this site.

Earlier 3 adult male and 1 juvenile Goldeneye at EGP plus 35 Tufted Duck as a supplement to Mike's posting yesterday here.

Juvenile Great Northern Diver still present at Scammonden but seems to be favouring the area nearest the M62 for the past few days. The water level has risen significantly during the past week and I personally haven't seen it at the southern end since then.

The Diver seemed unsettled this morning and at one point took off from the middle of the reservoir and flew North before 'crash landing' on the water partially submerging itself in the process close to the wall that runs parallel to the M62.

Elsewhere 4 Golden Plover and 5 Common Snipe but the Moorhen was the highlight for me this morning!

7 comments:

S Gray said...

Hi Dave first got a pair on there in February this year i think they bread successfully this summer as a young bird was seen being fed in july

AndyC said...

Yep they bred this year,but its also a good time of the year for a passage bird also a good time for a Kingfisher,Dipper or small flock of Bullfinch up there

David Tattersley said...

Thanks for that guys, not as rare as I thought, presumably they have been attracted by the scrapes and hidden pools from the roadside?

Its not often you see one swimming in the middle of a reservoir, it looked an odd sight in and amongst the Wigeon!

Nick Carter said...

The adult and young bird were first seen on the new west pool (the one nearest the hide)so presumably nested on there.

Nick Carter said...

The adult and young bird were first seen on the new west pool (the one nearest the hide)so presumably nested on there.

Tim Walker said...

There were 13 Goosander on the res at dusk last evening, but gone early this morning. SEO at Deanhead also at dusk yesterday.

David Tattersley said...

Juvenile Great Northern Diver still present this afternoon (Monday 14/12/09)