13 Dec 22

RSPB Radipole Lake

As I was in Weymouth this morning, I decided to have a look to see what was around the Visitors Centre and Swannery Car Park.

Main highlights were a female Goldeneye, plus two Shelduck out on the water.

Birds Recorded:
Cormorant
Canada Goose
2 Shelduck
Mallard
Teal
Shoveler
Tufted Duck
1 Goldeneye
Water Rail
Moorhen
Coot
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
Robin
Cetti's Warbler
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Goldfinch

A presumed pair of Shelduck out on the water.

Front right a drake Shoveler, back row and far left are Teal and just off-centre a Moorhen 

A female Goldeneye............

...............looking quite relaxed on the reserve.

I thought this would be easy, but these Black-headed Gulls are different ages. So hopefully I won't muck this up. This one above with the dark red bill and legs is an adult winter.

This individual I believe, is a 2nd winter bird with orange legs and bill.

So going on the appearance and colours of the two above, this bird appears to be almost a winter adult.

The easy bit here, is that these are all Herring Gulls. Ageing them isn't too much of a problem, I think!! There are 11 "grey-backed" gulls which apart from the 3rd winter bird, third in from the right, are all adult winter birds. The remaining "brown" birds are all 1st winter birds.

And another 3rd winter Herring Gull

I think this Herring Gull has been watching the Gannets out to sea. Mind you it needs to fold those wings in a bit!!!!