Green-wined Teal and other Stuff

Saturday 7th February - Sunday 22nd February 2015
Last Sunday I spent nearly three hours in the hide at Ashleworth, watching the GREEN-WINGED TEAL and other birds, and getting quite cold by the end of it. The Teal made a few appearances, but most of the time was out of site. During its active moments it was displaying often among the Eurasian Teal which was quite fascinating to watch.

The Green-winged Teal was always rather distant
The previous morning I carried out a survey for the Winter Random Square Survey project at Mallards Pike. It's a while since I've been to this site and getting there early I beat the crowds and spend a pleasant couple of hours counting every bird in sight, and sound. Nothing exceptional but 23 Mandarin were a year tick and I found some very unusual 'hair ice' on some decaying Beech branches.
Mandarin, Mallards Pike
Hair Ice, Mallards Pike
Mist rising off the lake at Mallards Pike
A couple of weeks back I caught up with a female Red-breasted Merganser in the Water Park - I've seen a small number before in Glos on the Severn, but this was the first photographable one.
This female Red-breasted Merganser was at CWP pit 58 on 15th
After the Merg I also caught up with Smew for Glos this year on pit 44.
Smew at Cotswold Water Park pit 44 on 15th
Some further recent bird photos below:
Goosander, Chew Vally Lake, 7th
Goldeneye, Chew Vally Lake, 7th
Grey Heron, WWT Slimbridge, 8th
A garden Song Thrush in the bird bath, on 13th
Pied Wagtail at Bewdley, Worcs, on 14th

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