The cold weather we are experiencing in the U.K. is causing a build up of water birds on the stretch of the River Welland known as Deeping High Bank. Clear water is at a premium and this means that the birds tend to be grouped together in fairly large flocks. Yesterday, there was a flock of 33 Goosander ( I believe our American friends call this bird the Common Merganser, forgive me if I am incorrect in this ), today this flock had grown to 41.
With the cold snap forecast to continue for a while more birds may appear, one can hope.
I thought I was doing well with 14 on my local lake this morning John.
ReplyDeleteLovely birds these.
Beautiful birds to see John.. Lovely images.
ReplyDeleteI always think they are such elegant birds, John. I have never been able to get very close to them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm pretty sure you are right about the name.
Lovely photos, yes, does look like a common merganser especially the front one
ReplyDeletehave not seen any of them for months. I miss them, but hopefully they will soom come back. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteYes John, there was one female at FM today (Wednesday) along with 3 Goldeneye. Nice shots you got.
ReplyDeleteNice captures!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteHi John...I love those first two images with the snow and the rocks in the background!!
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw these ducks here on the river I thought they where two different kinds of ducks...they have nothing in there look "to me that is" to make me think that!
Wouldn't you rather have the birds be there and it warmer Darn!!
grace
What charming birds!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading with great interest the mini ice age the UK and Europe has been experiencing. I saw those pictures of the snow covered Colosseum in Rome. Crazy! It was our go round with the deep freeze last year, you have my sympathy! I hope you get some unusual avian visitors for your troubles.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Great shots - the first time I've noticed the way the end of the beak turns down.
ReplyDeleteHi Keith,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how many there are, today there were 43!
J
Thanks Andrew!
ReplyDeleteJ
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteThank you. No, they are quite skittish and fly very easily, I suppose with the cold they don`t have the energy! ;)
J
Hi Crafty Gardener,
ReplyDeleteThank you for that and thanks for the visit!
J
Thanks Nature Footstep,
ReplyDeleteI am sure they will return! They are only here in the winter months, they go elsewhere in the Spring.
J
Hi Roy,
ReplyDeleteThank you. We have a fair few in the area at the moment, maybe more will arrive soon?
J
Hi Gary,
ReplyDeleteThank you, too kind.
J
Hi Grace,
ReplyDeleteI know, the two sexes do look like different birds, don`t they!
It would be nice if it were a bit warmer, but beggars can`t be choosers!
J
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThanks for that, they are lovely birds!
J
Hi Springman,
ReplyDeleteWe in the U.K. have got it easy compared to others, but it`s still cold! ;)
Hopefully we may get a few nice birds with this cold weather!
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteThank you. Well, there you go, you learn something new every day!
;)
J
Really good count of Goosanders, really smart birds. Great pics too :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat numbers John, I like the clean cut plumage of these birds, females as much as males.
ReplyDeleteMike
Nice shots of what we across the pond call Common Merganser John! They are so much fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteYou are one dedicated blogger/photographer/bird-person. (I gather that 'twitcher' is not an appreciated term!) Well done John.
ReplyDeleteClick here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, it looks quite impressive to see them all on the river too!
J
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it`s one of the highedt numbers in this area for a while!
Both sexes are attractive, but the male is something else!
J
Hi Larry,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I thought that was their name in the States! Always active birds, but sometimes quite shy.
J
Hi Bazza,
ReplyDeleteI don`t know about dedicated, maybe I ought to be committed!
Twitcher can be used quite derogatively, so I am not that keen on the term, although I have been known to go on the odd twitch! ;)
J
When we went to Wales a couple years ago, we were walking along a river bank, and I spotted a "Common Merganser." We had quite a lively debate before we realized: same bird, different name.
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteI've been away too long. I'm reminded how peaceful it is here. Gorgeous pictures! I thought about you recently since the snowy white owls are on the move. Have you come across any? Also, did the aurora glow in your area? What do birds do when the aurora is present. Sleep?
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is weird how some birds have different names! I can understand a different language, but we have the same, don`t we? ;)
J
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Thank you for the kind words!
Snowy Owls are extremely rare in this country and I have never seen one, but one day hope to! The aurora has been spectacular this year, but, again I live too far south to have seen it! I don`t think it makes any difference to birds, but then again I could be wrong!
J