Saturday 29 April 2017

Harold Park and Park Dam

Saturday 29th April a.m.
A Dull morning making photography difficult but feeling mild with only a light breeze and a temperature of 8°C.
Harold Park
A relatively quiet visit with the usual Tufteds,Canadas and Coots on the water with a visit from two Herring Gulls on the water and a pair of Grey Wagtails giving me the run around, so no picture of them. A Mute Swan(Red Y222) was some what easier and a Collared Dove looked well amongst the Cherry blossom.
Collared Dove

Mute Swan

Herring Gull
Park Dam
Down the road a little there were Starlings carrying food with a good number in the field feeding, on the water were Coots,Canadas,Tufteds and three distant Gt Crested Grebes.Over the water were Swallows feeding, I decided to walk round the Lake and found a place to sit and hope the GC Grebes would come closer.Whilst here I spotted a distant Grey Wagtail and after a while my patience bore fruit as the three Grebes came close enough for a few pictures.Then I noticed some movement on the rocks under the dam wall, to my surprise and delight it was a Common Sandpiper, a first for me here.I started to move off with House Martins and Sand Martins joining the Swallows over the water and some moved to a nearby wire for me to plough through the wet grass for some pictures.After a slow start I had an enjoyable and productive morning, with the thrill of seeing the Common Sandpiper fresh in my mind as I drove home.
Nigel.
Common Sandpiper



GC Grebe



Swallow

Sand Martin



House Martin



Return of the Hirundines

House Martin

Common Sandpiper at Park Dam 29/4/2017

3 comments:

  1. Lovely pics Nigel.
    Particularly like the Collared Dove and House Martin.
    Good going getting 3 different sp. Of hirundines - just local Swallow for me so far - and only a few about.
    John

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  2. pleased you spotted the Common Sandpiper at the dam Nigel, it's not the greatest hot spot for waders. Lovely to see the pictures, thanks for sharing.

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  3. Thanks John, I couldn't resist getting a picture of the Collared Dove in the Cherry blossom, it didn't want to play ball though.
    The Sandpiper was a great surprise Jamie, thanks for your comments.
    Nigel.

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