At the RSPB reserve at Saltholme, the Curlews have begun to gather in numbers for winter, having abandoned their summer breeding grounds on the Moors.
Curlew (Numenius arquata)
Their elegant curved bills probe the mud, as the following video shows.
(See video here).
They have a haunting cry, which they occasionally give.
The ducks surrounding the Curlew are Wigeon. The males have a distinctive orange stripe on their heads.
Wigeon (Anas penelope)
They are on the waters and grassland all over the reserve. There will be high hundreds of these birds wintering with us.
The males have a distinct orange stripe on their heads this time of year.
They feed on the grasslands, but fly to the safety of the water when they feel threatened (see video here). Once things have calmed down , they climb out again (see video here). The backdrop to the reserve is industrial, and yet the birds seem not to mind (see video here and here).
The skies are full of Lapwings, as again they winter on the reserve.
They take off at the slightest hint of danger (see video here).
Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
They take to the sky when a predator shows (in this case a peregrine).
They move in distinct groups (prides of Lapwing) which weave around each other, in order to confuse any hunter.
(See videos here, here, here and here). I love their wheeling flight, it awakens the augur within me.
Notice how they settle down on the ground, then at the slightest movement take off again. Life at the edge of being eaten every moment makes them skittish, and rightly so.
When they settle, they drift down individually from their local pride (see video here and here).
On the ground they settle, feed and sleep
(see video here and here). Notice the Golden Plover behind the Lapwings in this video.
Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
They too are numbered in the hundreds right now, and take to the air with the Lapwings when in danger (see video here).
Another duck seen was the Shoveler, which has a large bill.
Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Gadwall were also on the waters.
Gadwall (Anas strepera)
The grey males have a very rich herringbone pattern, which is best seen under bright light.
(See video here)
As were Pintail.
Pintail (Anas acuta)
(see video here)
Pochard were also on the reserve.
Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Here’s one diving (see video here)
This one swam behind a Black Headed gull in winter plumage.
They are a long way from their summer breeding finery.
Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
On a gatepost on the way to the Saltholme Pool hide, a Stonechat sat on a fence.
Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)
(See video here)
Also sitting on a fence post was a Merlin.
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
It scans the surroundings all the time by turning its head.
Another predator that keeps still for long periods of time is a Grey Heron.
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
(see video here)
As does a Little Egret, which is smaller than a Heron.
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
In the far distance, a Cormorant sat on a post.
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Another bird which catches fish (hence a hooked bill) is a Red breasted merganser.
Red breasted merganser (Mergus serrator)
Greylag Geese are always on the reserve.
Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
The bird on the left preened itself, working its head back towards its tail where its uropygial gland resides. That’s where it gets the oil to waterproof its feathers.
(See video here)
A flight of Barnacle Geese flew in, making a wonderful sight.
Barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis)
Here‘s the video of them circling, then landing.
Finally, another elegant visitor upon the water; Rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cycno, a Black Swan.
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
(see video here). It’s almost certainly an escaped ornamental bird, as they are not native to this country. It looks very elegant nonetheless.
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