Friday, 7 January 2011

Goosanders

This flock of 29 Goosander was present at Cuckoo`s Hollow in Werrington today, quite a feat considering the size of the body of water. This species breeds in Britain, mostly in Scotland, northern England and Wales with 2,600 pairs being present. In winter this number increases to around 8,900 birds,some of which migrate from north-east Europe and Russia. Outside the breeding season you often find Goosanders in small groups mostly on freshwater lakes, old gravel workings and reservoirs, but this area in Werrington is very small, but they were certainly feeding well and seemed quite content.


Two females standing on a frozen part of the pond, something you don`t often see.


Female preening


Two males and a female


A pair


Another pair


A hand held shot of part of the flock just to show the size of pond ( I was standing on one bank, you can see the other)
All other photo`s were digiscoped using Lumix FS15 and Kowa TSN-883 x30
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9 comments:

  1. Susan Scheid (Raining Acorns)9 January 2011 at 00:44

    This looks very close to what we call the common merganser over here. I have a photograph of a group of fledglings led by a female adult in Photographing Birds in the Adirondacks, and wonder, if you have a chance to look, what you might think.

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  2. klahanie9 January 2011 at 01:26

    Greetings John,
    Thanks for sharing some more fascinating information, accompanied by your usual superb photos.
    I've learnt a lot from your most informative and interesting blog. For that, I thank you, kind sir.
    With respect and appreciation, Gary.

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  3. Cat9 January 2011 at 04:23

    Brrrr...double brrr...

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  4. bazza9 January 2011 at 20:46

    Is a Goosander an hermaphrodite? (Goose and Gander). I won't give up the day job.
    Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  5. John9 January 2011 at 21:10

    Hi Raining Acorns, the Common Merganser is what we in Britain call the Goosander, so they are the same bird. Great photo`s on that post by the way!
    J

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  6. John9 January 2011 at 21:10

    Thanks Gary, you are too kind!
    J

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  7. John9 January 2011 at 21:11

    It was a bit chilly Cat, but it is warming up a bit now!
    J

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  8. John9 January 2011 at 21:11

    Hi bazza, no I wouldn`t if I was you! ;)
    J

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  9. Susan Scheid (Raining Acorns)12 January 2011 at 00:26

    Mystery solved! Thank you--and, as well for the compliment on the photos. High praise, coming from you!

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