Southlake and Maiden Erlegh

I went on short walks to both lakes yesterday.  They are both still mostly frozen/slushy but have slightly larger clear water near the edges.  The weather is much milder but possibly getting colder again in a few days.  Southlake was mainly full of gulls, mallard, coots and shoveler, as well as a couple of Grey Herons.  I didn’t see any Egyptian Geese there so they could be breeding as there are usually at least six.

I did see the Grey Wagtail as I arrived.

as well as being watched by Mr B and an inquisitive dove.

The squirrels were out and about as usual.

Out on the lake, the Shoveler were mostly fast asleep, some standing on the ice, some floating.

Gulls were standing around on the ice, often preening,  and the sun was shining in the lake water.

and this is just a general view of the lake activity.

Meanwhile, at Maiden Erlegh, there was a lone Egyptian Goose on the ice.

and the Mandarin Ducks are back – they have been absent for a few weeks.  It was quite tricky to get a photo as they were tucked in near the edge of the lake in the direct sunlight and the trees and shrubs did not allow a clear view.

The Wood Duck was also there – again, a regular sight but in fewer numbers than the Mandarins.

This large Mallard was preening at the edge of the lake, stretching its neck right back to its bottom.

The Red Kites were flying over the lakes, dive-bombing each other.  They can look completely different when taken at different angles.

and I did go into the woods briefly.  There were lots of Tits, Goldcrest, Blackbirds etc and I heard the Woodpecker drumming in the trees.  Squirrels were running amok, but this one was trying to hide.  The first photo shows how hard it is to spot them when they sit still, the second two are closer views.