Kingfisher, flying Snipe and a Herring Gull playing golf were just some of the things spotted on my visit to Rodley Nature Reserve on Wednesday.
The header image is is of some resting Teal and Gadwall ducks.
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Kingfisher
Within 12 minutes of starting my walk around the reserve a Kingfisher perched in a nearby tree. Even though it was near it was still not easy to see it, they are small. Thet are most noticeable because of their blue backs but you tend to see that when they are flying away from you.
Snipe
Snipe numbers have been increasing over a few years now but you certainly need to look carefully for them. Their camouflage is very good. If they are still then they just blend in unless they are at the water’s edge. The 3rd photo with the Teal has 5 Snipe in it I believe.
Golfing Gull
In the field next to the reserve, where there are Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, a lone Pink Footed Goose and Jackdaws, on this visit I watched a juvenile Herring Gul (?) playing golf. It kept picking up a Noodle+ golf ball and dropping it. Several times it took the ball up into the air and dropped it. Obviously it thought it was an egg and was trying to break it. When the ball was on the ground it also picked up tufts of cut grass and earth but dropped it. I assume this was an attempt to find something heavy to drop on the ball/egg.
The Others
These are other photos of the visit.
- Oystercatcher
- Lapwing
- Sandmartin nest site
- Cormorant
- Tufted Duck & Swans
- Chaffinch
- Wren
- Carrion Crow
- Turkeytail
- Snowdrops
- Reed Bunting
- Great Tit
- Strange looking Wigeon
- Grey Heron
- Scarlet Elfcup or possibly Ruby Elfcup
As expected there were also Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Red Kite flying around.
A Pink Footed Goose was in the neighbouring field though it was keeping its head tucked in so I was only going by the colour of its neck compared to the Greylag geese.
Track
The squiggles show where I wandered taking the photos. It looks as though accuracy suffered while I was in one of the hides – I did not go for a swim.
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