Red Kite Feast

This Red Kite was perched on the dead Canada Goose on the sand spit at Little Marlow GP, and defending it from other interested parties, such as the Crow.  It is not known how the Goose died but certainly not killed by the Kite.  It will no doubt provide a feast for a number of birds and mammals.

Egyptian Geese - Little Marlow GP

Despite Egyptian Geese normally preferring a nest hole, these two are a reminder that we should not leave the Tern rafts on the water until next Spring! 

Lots of wildfowl around today but not really close enough for decent photos.  My attempts at photographing a close Goldcrest failed as the little blighter typically moved around constantly and hid behind leaves and branches.  Something I need to persevere with!

Great Northern Diver - College Lake

This adult bird was found by Rob Andrews at 12:45 while trying to relocate a drake Goosander.  A great find with less than 20 prior records in the county.  The bird was on the main lake, so when I arrived it was a long long way from the main hide!  Rob returned to the site and we both walked along the west side of the lakes to get a closer view.

Showing the classic GN Diver heavy bill and head shape.

It was quite often seen "snorkelling" for fish.
A one point it appeared to swallow a fish.

Showing one of it's powerful feet

A brief wing flap which I was lucky to catch on camera.

I am not sure what the bird was doing here.  It was certainly not swallowing a fish.
We thought we heard an unusual call at one point but it was not a typical GN Diver call.

Also at College Lake were two Pintail, both 1st winter birds, but no chance to photograph in rapidly failing light.

Wooburn Green - Flackwell Heath

A walk on a very overcast morning from Flackwell Heath to Wooburn Green and back produced a few birds.

A covey of eight Red-legged Partridge were nice to see.

The next field produced these Rooks, Jackdaws and
a few more Red-legged Partridge.

The walk also produced a flock of about forty Linnets, at least two Bullfinches, calling Goldcrests, Redwings, Fieldfares, Meadow Pipit, a flyover Redpoll, a Kestrel, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and of course plenty of Red Kites!