Monday 16 January 2017

Cheddar Reservoir 15/1/17 - Mandarin, Red Crested Pochard, Goldeneye etc

Cloudy but bright with a very strong wind for our visit to Cheddar Reservoir. The car park was packed I guess because it was a Sunday a lot of folk were out for their pre dinner walk plus their dogs!
Part of the reservoir was taken up by a Pike fishing competition and the sailing club had boats out on the water so our visit was not a quiet one.
On arrival we quickly spotted the beautiful female Mandarin in with some Mallards. Didn't realise how small the Mandarin is compared to a Mallard.  Not too far away a Red Crested Pochard came into view  and then we spotted a lone female Goldeneye. Not bad for the first 10 minutes!
We eventually walked twice around the reservoir taking in the stunning views along the way and looking out for wildlife.  Really good to see large numbers of Pochard here along with Tufted Ducks, Great Crested Grebes and huge numbers of Coot.  Really love watching the way Coots seem to run across water often to give chase to a rival.  Great to notice a Peregrine fly high over the reservoir and on to distant fields.
21 species of birds seen on an enjoyable walk - you just don't know what you may find on the reservoir!

Beautiful female Mandarin Duck

                

    Visible for a time on the steps of the reservoir

               
                  Red Crested Pochard



                
                   Red Crested Pochard a winter visitor to the reservoir

    Female Goldeneye - didn't venture too close for a decent shot

               

    It was this big! The pike that just swam by ..... 

                


   Mallards

               
                   A Peregrine flew over the reservoir

   Pochard and Tufted

               
                   Pochard



                
                   Male Pochard - love that red eye

   Coot frenzy

               


   And the winner is ......

                
                  Walking on water

   Great crested Grebes





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