17th October 2010
Whoopers on 1st Pool
The wind had swung round to the NW - first noticeable wind we had had all week. It’s been that kind of Autumn, though - absolutely still: ‘high pressure gloom’ I believe they call it! So we thought, “lets have a walk on to the farm as the Hen Harriers have been making a regular appearance” The male has been here for a while, showing well most days and the female has now put in an appearance.
So onto the lonning we went. Flocks of Redwing were moving about and parties of Long-tailed Tits, usually consisting of about a dozen individuals - this probably indicates that they stay together in family groups. Not many Fieldfares, as yet, though. We know when they have arrived by their noisy presence in our damson orchard bordering on the Reserve, to clean up the fruit we have been unable to pick and windfalls.
Having arrived at the screen of the 1st Meadow Pool - we always, as a matter of routine, have a look here. Surprise! Surprise! 14 Whoopers, our friends from the Tundra, had returned and were peacefully upending and just pottering about on the pool - there appeared to be three juveniles amongst them. But they were silent and seemed very relaxed. Not the usual whooping and trumpeting we normally hear on their arrival on the pool - their calls, carrying far, can be heard all over the place. But, as I say, this year they seem to be rather silent ... but we shall see! The two Mute Swans who have been with us for a while were keeping well out of the way in one corner of the pool.
After this we headed on down to the hide. but never made it. We met so many people on the way, stopping to gossip, exchanging notes etc. that we gave up, as the afternoon was getting very cold and that nattering wind from the NW with a hint of rain was starting to find its mark. So we decided to hurry home and get the shots of the Whoopers onto the blog.
...that’s our excuse, anyway!
Wigeon coming in to join the Whoopers