It's years since we visited this place - back then the footbridge was accessed by metal steps so it was definitely before the current visitor centre was built. Bumped into KV, which was nice, who was only there because he lost his hat when he visited the day before, so as a bonus we had a bit of a catch up.
When we finally got into the hide there was a lot quite close by. The Whooper Swans were interesting to watch. There were several family parties and they were greeting individuals that they seemed to recognise and having the odd spat from time to time, feeding in the lake and on some rotting potatoes as well as taking care of their feathers.
There were some Mute Swans sporting orange darvics, so these would be birds ringed by MR within the same scheme as that, that we support when colour ringing swans on the Thames.
Adult Whooper bathing.
When we finally got into the hide there was a lot quite close by. The Whooper Swans were interesting to watch. There were several family parties and they were greeting individuals that they seemed to recognise and having the odd spat from time to time, feeding in the lake and on some rotting potatoes as well as taking care of their feathers.
Mute Swan 4BLI
Mute Swan 4BLR
We also collected some colour rings on Whooper Swans.
Whooper Swan Z3N (black on yellow)
Whooper Swan YCK (black print on orange)
It was possible to see some colour ring combinations on the roosting Black-tailed Godwits, not always both legs however. At least 3 full combinations were obtained, one from Icleand and the others from the UK PP and JG schemes.
Roosting Black-tailed Godwits
Bewick Swan - an injured bird that stayed throughout the summer
Whooper close-up
There were also quite a few ducks to see - Pintail, Teal, Shelduck, Mallard, Wigeon and some rather handsome Pochard.
Male Pochard