Hollingworth Lake and Soil Hill

We had a drive out to Hollingworth Lake today.

It was an improving picture weather wise with thick foggy stuff giving way to blue sky and sunshine.

With a strong ENE breeze, it was still very cold today, with no hint of spring warmth.

The usual crowd of Black Headed Gull, Canada Goose and Mallard were by the car park.

There was one Large Gull - which could be a Lesser Black Backed Gull - at least I believe it to be a LBBG - it does not seem as big chested as the Ogden Herring Gull

(Looking at my Collins Bird Book however, there is plenty of scope for it to be a Herring Gull or even a GBBG).

I knew I should have paid more attention, in the Gull Identification classes, in 1967 at St. Thomas Moore School - Homefield - instead of flicking rubber bands (and worse) about!

A couple of Pied Wagtail was here also.

A short detour to the small pond to the SW of the lake brought with it my first Redshank of the year.

Also here several pairs of Teal, Heron, 2 Coot, Moorhen and a solitary Lapwing.

Further around the main lake 3 Pied Wagtail were seen with 2 Cormorant on the water. 

Later 5 Cormorant were swimming together in the centre of the lake.

5 Great Crested Grebe were seen in total with one GCG carrying nesting material.

A Magpie was carrying nesting material.

I got a fleeting glimpse of a diving duck and I managed A poor photo just before it disappeared.

I think it's a Tufted Duck but I can't be sure - the bill looks to have a 'yellow' tip - possibly even a Goldeneye?

As always, the awkward ones are furthest away and you get one chance at a pic.
At least I knew it wasn't a Great Crested Grebe - like the guy in the hide was telling me it was!

16:00 Soil Hill

On the way home, Sue dropped me at Soil Hill to check for Wheatear but ...

..de, da da da , de, da da da is all I have to say to you.

It was very cold on the North and East sides of the hill but quite pleasant on the West side during a 5 min sunny spell.

4 or so Skylark took to the air, singing, at various points along the way.

A solitary Meadow Pipit was seen on the west hillside.

Looking down to the lower (NK) pond there was a Moorhen floating about,a Lapwing and a good few Starling flew past in 3 groups.

Near the pond,  some ( possibly as many as 30 ) smaller birds were seen briefly in flight before landing in the pond side meadow and disappearing from view.

They were too far off for the bins or camera, to see them clearly - they may have been Meadow Pipit but who knows??

I don't think they would have been Goldfinch. 

Other than that mystery, there were lots of Woodpigeon seen in the fields below Ned Hill Track and the usual Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Magpie knocking about.

Not a lot happening again up here , but s.l.o.w.l.y. birds are returning!

LBBG?

Mystery Duck

Cropped and Lightened

Soil Hill

Taylor Lane Black Rabbit