November 2006
The Whooper Swans continued to arrive at Martin Mere all month...
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Newly arrived Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
The newly arrived birds were easily distinguished due to the reddish staining on their head and neck caused by a high concentration of iron oxide in the water and soil around their breeding grounds.
Newly arrived Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
The staining is temporary, and after a couple of weeks at Martin Mere their plumage returns to a pristine white...except for the juveniles who are a silvery-grey colour.
 Adult Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) |
 1st year Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) |
Shelduck and Pintail were also fairly common at Martin Mere.
Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
male Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
female Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
Numerous wintering Ruffs were feeding along the edge of the lake only a few metres in front of the Swan Hide.
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
Lapwing were a lot more wary of all the noise and movement inside the crowed hide, and rarely ventured close.
Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
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