Over the Border

The weather was pretty ropey around here today which ruled out any insect watching so I decided to do a spot of birding. An offer of a lift to Eyebrook reservoir was too good to turn down so I found myself heading over the border into neighbouring Rutland and Leicestershire. Some of the photographs are somewhat duff but birds don't seem to like you getting as close as bugs do.

Nice bird but shame about the picture, Garganey.

Another poor picky of the Garganey.

I began at the bottom of the hill on the Leics side and soon connected with the two eclipse Red Crested Pochards which had been reported. A couple of Greenshanks flew noisily from the shoreline where a Little Egret seemed even whiter than usual in the gloomy conditions. Heading over towards the island (which is not actually an island, ask the locals) I found a Garganey feeding  in the bay. These are active feeders constantly dabbling and they also seem to have to scratch their ears far more than other species. This one emerged on to the island for a brief spell before swimming off towards the southern shore. The two RCP's also showed better from the viewing area.

Red Crested Pochards enjoying some down time.

The bay north of the island held a third Greenshank while a Dunlin called as it flew overhead. Amongst the flotillas of Mallards and Gadwalls I picked out a couple of Wigeons and a few Shovellers but despite my early success I didn't really bother with the quackers. A little further on I met the chairman of the Eyebrook Wildlife Group who picked out both a Wood and a Green Sandpiper though the former appeared to disappear fairly sharpish.

Greenshank.

From the bridge a Kingfisher perched distantly before zooming off along the brook while a scan of the mud at the inflow revealed three Dunlins, a Snipe and a small flock of Lapwings. Two Green Sandpipers called as they landed and were joined by another Greenshank.

Little Egret.

That was that as far as interesting stuff went though I did manage to find a Small Copper and several Small Whites despite the rather grotty weather.

Lapwings and Dunlin.