A mild day greeted us today as Brian and I parked in the car park at Covenham Reservoir. We debated weather to coat up or dress more lightly in the higher temperatures, but in view of the strong wind and knowing what to expect up on the banks of the reservoir we opted for fleece jacket and big coat with a hat. Sensible, because, although the air temperature was 18C, with the force 5-7 southerly wind, the wind chill factor made it feel significantly cooler. The battering from the wind made it quite wearing too.
Notwithstanding this we set out on the 3 mile circuit of the reservoir. Almost the first bird that we saw was a goldeneye; an excellent trophy indeed. A short distance along the first side of the walls we came across a group of three males and a couple of females of the same species. They were quite close, the light was good and the males were displaying to the female - perfect for photography. Typically I had decided to leave the camera at home! Very frustrating, but not the first time I have been taught this lesson. Goldeneye are stunning birds. The males have a black head with a greenish gloss and a large white patch adjacent to the bill. The back is black and the flanks and breast gleaming white with the upper flanks streaked with fine black lines. The female is brown grey and bot sexes have a distinctive yellow eye. The courtship display of the male consists of the head being thrown backwards and then stretched up whilst at the same time paddling with the feet. I might not have had my camera but is was fabulous to have such close views. There turned out to be good numbers and we found 42 altogether.
A little further on we saw in the distance a large flock of lapwing with a big group of smally waders performing fantastic murmurations: golden plovers. Shortly after we met a birder coming the other way who told us of a male goosander that he had seen along with a male smew. The goosander we found amongst a flock of wigeon. It is a large, long-bodied duck with a red bill ending with a downward hook. The head is a dark glossy green, often appearing black. I often see them when we are staying at the caravan on the edge of the Lake District where we find them on the River Kent. Fortunately for my stress levels it was too far away for photography. The smew, however, we didn't find. Not surprising, really as a smallish white duck in very choppy water with white caps is always going to be difficult to spot, and Covenham is a large area of water.
At the end of the walk we had seen 22 species and increased th annual total to 85 species and the monthly one to 62. Last year I managed 165 and 2023 180 so 200 would be a satisfying target for this year.
As the camera was at home, the attached images are from the archive.
