Rutand Water

Wednesday 26 September

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

First  of our twelve days back in the UK and lots to do before visiting sons down south tomorrow.  But, never one to miss up an opportunity, not before just popping over to nearby Rutland Water for a little over an hour to see what was on the the North Arm and the feeding area, plus a quick check on Lagoon 1 from the Visitors Centre.  Only a quick visit but still managed to record 35 species.

Approaching the North Arm I had already seen Rook, Crow and Wood Pigeon and the first sight of this water quickly added Mute Swan and all three local geese, Greylag, Canada and Egyptian.  Good numbers of Coot and, my word, the Wigeon have turned up in hundred since last here about six weeks ago.  Also present a number of Cormorant and a few Moorhen plus Lapwing and a single Great Black-backed Gull to add to the dominant presence of the Black-headed Gulls.  Apart from the Wigeon, there were also Mallard, Gadwall, Teal and Tufted Duck along with absolutely scores of Great Crested Grebes and a handful of Little Grebe.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus

The narrow road back toward the turn for Eggleton produced both Blackbird and a male Pheasant but next to nothing when I arrived at the car park.  No scores, just less than a handful of Jackdaws but I did find more Collared Doves.  Once seated overlooking the feeding area the small birds came in droves to feast on the feeders.  The larger were mainly Greenfinch and Goldfinch, with slightly more of the former, along with a good smattering of Chaffinch.  So many juvenile Goldfinch yet to to receive their red faces. less than a dozen House Sparrows but I did eventually find a couple of Dunnock and a single Robin.  Of the tit family, mainly Great Tits,now looking rather resplendent in their new feathers but also regular visits by Blue Tits.

Great Tit Parus major

A quick visit to the now open Visitors Centre meant that I was looking almost directly into the sun but it did not prevent me from watching the Great White Egret fly along the back of the water and come to rest on the mud to my right.  Similar good fortune away to my left where I watched the arrival of a female Marsh Harrier.  And that was it as I quickly made my way back to Stamford to complete my appointments.

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Hopefully, I shall find time to return next week as well as pay a visit to either Norfolk or Frampton Marsh near Boston.

Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

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