Friday 13 February 2015

The Edge 13th Feb

Wombwell Ings- Walking  along the path to the hide I scanned the side pool and my first impression was 8 Barnacle Geese. Disappointment followed when a closer view revealed that 4 of the birds were hybrids( possibly with a domestic goose). Even the 4 birds that had the jizz of a Barnacle Goose  didn't seem quite right , particularly the too clean white appearance of the flanks and belly. Checking fieldguides and photos on the Internet show quite obvious barring on the flanks. As a result , I regard all eight birds as hybrids.The logbook at Broomhill Flash records these birds as flying north-west at 11.15am.
Also present were 3 Mute Swan, 137 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, 1 Egyptian Goose(flew west at c9.30am), 152 Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, 12 Teal, 10 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler, 2 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 113 BH Gull, 6 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Bolton Ings late AM/early PM-On the open water were 5 Mute Swan, 15 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 20 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Goldeneye(4 male+2 juv male+4 female), 4 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 46 Coot, 7 Moorhen, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 23 Lapwing, 45 BH Gull and 13 Common Gull. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 17 Long Tailed Tit and 1 Redpoll.
Broomhill Flash early PM-Noted were 151 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, 25+ Wigeon, 10 Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 1m+1f Goldeneye, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Cormorant, 38 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 200+ BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 6 Lapwing and 1 Grey Wagtail,

3 comments:

Cliff Gorman said...

Nige, I seem to remember a small group of Hybrid Barnacles at Anglers a couple of months ago

Cliff Gorman said...

Sorry Alan, a senior moment when addressed you as Nige

ASmith said...

At Anglers there was a group of 4 Barnacle x Canada Hybrids with the Canada flock in September/October 2014.