A Shot In The Arm - A Bit Of Sunshine

 A lovely, cold, bright and sunny day here in Yorkshire's eastern outpost. A good morning to take the scope down to the Mere and have a scan for any new arrivals 🤞

I couldn't locate the Long-tailed Duck this morning, nor the Peregrine that can be seen perched on Swan Island some days. I did however get two of the three Smew and the pair of Red-crested Pochard. This triumvirate of long-staying duck species (LTD, Smew and RCP) keeps us going when there is nothing new to see. The light was very good this morning and would have been perfect for photography had any of the birds come close enough to allow it.

While watching the ducks, a flock of Lapwing were circling over the north shore trees. Estimated at about 130 strong I took a short video via the scope to try and get a better count, but it didn't help. The clip I got was shaky but in the useable bit I counted 115 Lapwing.

I walked through the mud and water and reached the set aside field where a Snipe got up and disappeared rapidly over the trees, as they do. Also visible from the set aside was the herd of Barnacle Geese and I got 155 today.

female Reed Bunting in Ouzel Hedge

One of about 40 Tree Sparrows in Ouzel Hedge

Linnet flock still feeding in the set aside

Marsh Harriers can usually be seen at the Mere and this cream crown bird was flying to and fro over the reed bed.

In the woodland edges the first Snowdrops are coming into flower now. A welcome dab of colour to light the way.

Snowdrops in the wood fringe

A friend of mine was telling me that Snowdrops are brilliant flowers, so well adapted to flowering early in the cold climate here and they have anti-freeze to prevent frost damage. I checked the BBC Earth website and they say "Their leaves have specially hardened tips to help them break through frozen soil and their sap contains a form of antifreeze to prevent ice crystals forming. On very cold mornings, clumps will flop down as the water is 'frozen’ inside the cells, but soon perk up again once temperatures rise and the sap can flow again." Thanks Tim!