A male Goldeneye was also on the water and it was interesting to observe the divers intolerance to it whenever the Goldeneye happened to be within about 10 metres of it.
The Diver did what it does best and dived, presumably swimming underwater in the direction of the Goldeneye, causing it to quickly take to the air, wings whirring as it flew to another area of the water.
I have attached a couple more photographs of this cracking bird, the first one in unusual winter light but clearly showing the pale edges on the mantle, scapulars, rump and flanks which would not be the case if it were an adult.
The second photo hopefully shows a true reflection on how massive the bill of this species looks in the field, no wonder it is able to swallow small fish when diving underwater. Lets hope it hangs around long enough for everyone to catch up with it.
Other birds of note were:
2 Kestrel
2 Little Grebe
2 Cormorant
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Earlier 4 adult Herring Gull flew SW up the valley and over towards Deanhead.
3 comments:
Sorry to report Dave but just got a text from Dave Sutcliffe to say no sign of Diver on either Scammonden or Ringstone this afternoon
That's right Nick - I was viewing from the footpath adjacent to the M62. (Turn left down the track immediately after Scammonden Bridge then walk down the steep slope adjacent to the motorway)the paths head around the res'r. There was just one bit of the res'r I couldn't see, far bank opposite the sailing area - so there is a possibility it could have been round the corner? I'm sure someone will check again this weekend!
Very interesting, David, well observed. No one answered your query about the size of the gadwall
flock. I think it far and away the biggest count. In the past I trawled through all the old bird records collected by the Halifax Scientific Society (which is still collecting records) and from memory there have only been ones and twos recorded before in Calderdale, except for 4 at Ringstone Edge Res on 27th August 2000 (Peter Gee - from Nick Dawtrey's annual report for Halifax B.W. Club.)
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