WWT Washington Wetland Centre

 First, thanks to CB for finding me in another hide then putting me onto my second ever Jack Snipe. It was then seen by a few other delighted birders. It proved to be a cracking morning out with some great birds seen including Iceland Gull and Russian White-fronted Goose among other things.

Jack Snipe.

Iceland Gull.

A couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls took exception to it being there

And chased it off.

It soon came back.

Russian White-fronted Goose.

I saw only one Avocet while I was there.

However, I could not count the number of Shelduck, they were everywhere.

Those Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Black-headed Gulls displaying.

Lapwing.

Tufted Duck.

Tawny Owl Chicks

 It was a few weeks ago when I saw some images of a Tawny Owl and I recognised the place where they were taken so I thought I would go and have a look for myself. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get any images of the parent birds (I did see at least one) however I did get some of the Tawny Owl chicks.  I heard a couple of calls and realised it was the chicks calling for their parents. I could see both chicks sitting near the top of a tree so I took a few images while they were hopping around and then left them alone. A later quick trip to Far Pastures didn’t produce much, a Heron and some Tufted Duck were about  the highlights.

Tawny Owl chick.

The second chick.

Nuthatch. 

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Heron.

Male Tufted Duck chasing a female.

She did a bit of wing flapping after that chase.

A Tufted Duck chick learning to dive.

Derwent Reservoir

 06.01.24 and a drive around the Derwent Reservoir in the search of Crossbill. A small flock were seen briefly in one of their normal spots but they were high in the trees and didn’t come down to drink which is what I was hoping for. Luckily, I did see a Red Squirrel so it’s nice to see they are still hanging on. I haven’t seen the reservoir so full in a long time, it’s right up to the hide, which meant there were lots of birds but unfortunately, they were all too far off for any decent images.

Red Squirrel.

Crossbill.

Chaffinch having a bath.

Robin which took time out from chasing everything to pose near to us.

A mixed flock of Gulls.

Teal.

Greylag Goose.

Mallards.

Male Goosander.

Female Goosander.

Tufted Ducks.

Pheasant.