A few from Staines Reservoirs - London (1 Viewer)

[BenjiS]

Needing a few ID's plus just wanting to double check a few of mine
1. Black Throated Diver I'm almost certain and just want to double check
2. Same with Black-Necked Grebe
3. Pipit sp. & Pipit sp. 2 I don't have any idea, probably meadow, but IDK!
4. Gull - don't really need an ID but if poss that would be nice!

All photos taken yesterday (26/12/2023)

Thanks all in advance

 

[Stonefaction]

First 2 are correct. The Pipit is a Meadow Pipit, and your gull is (currently) invisible.....

 

[BenjiS]

First 2 are correct. The Pipit is a Meadow Pipit, and your gull is (currently) invisible.....

Have added now! Also they are 2 different pipits, if you didn't realise already

 

[Stonefaction]

Have added now! Also they are 2 different pipits, if you didn't realise already

Both Pipits are Meadow (is what I should have said). The gull I'd be guessing.

 

[aeshna5]

Agree with above. Gull looks to be 1st-winter Herring Gull. Staines is going through a purple patch with in addition several Short-eared Owls on the nearby Staines Moor. Did you see the Great Northern Divers too?

 

[BenjiS]

I met someone who said that there were 3 black throated and 2 great northern, but I didn't have a scope and all except the photographed Black Throated were to far out to see from the middle
I wasn't too worried about getting the great northern divers anyway because I just saw my first one a couple of weeks back!

 

[aeshna5]

I met someone who said that there were 3 black throated and 2 great northern, but I didn't have a scope and all except the photographed Black Throated were to far out to see from the middle

When I was there a couple of weeks back there were 2 of each there. I did see a bit of a dispute on FB about one of the divers ID.

 

[davercox]

Sorry if I'm hijacking, but ... when I was starting out, around 1959, I spent many happy hours at the Staines reservoirs learning the birds. Glad to see the old place is still performing.