Grafham Water (1 Viewer)

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 8 July 2023; a fine adult summer Mediterranean Gull on the dam in the morning. No sign of the Lesser Scaup this evening at the Dudney area.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 23 July 2023; very different to a year ago as water level about as high as it ever gets. A small number of Yellow-legged gulls now and what maybe an adult Caspian Gull on 21st. A group of six Common Sandpipers today and a Sanderling on 22nd.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 24 Jul 2023; two Sanderling on the dam, until 17:45 when flew off high to the NE.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 29 Jul 2023; a new Sanderling on the dam early morning only before departing. At least 6 Common Sandpipers

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 13 Aug 2023; the German ringed Caspian x Herring Gull has returned again for the 5th year, (Yellow X90A on left leg).

Now a full adult and certainly looks Caspian like in general appearance, it raises the question again over the identification of many 'Caspian Gulls' in the UK. As before the bird has a drooped right leg in flight, possibly due to the metal ring on the right leg that is hard to see.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 18 Aug 2023; around 50 Yellow Wagtails on the dam this evening including what looks like a 'hybrid Channel Wagtail' ; may possibly be one of the birds seen here earlier in the year?

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 12 Sep 2023; an Arctic Skua flew in from the east at 18:30 and headed westward. The Knot still on the dam showing very well in the rain.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham on 10 Sep2023; one of the Caspian Gulls allowed prolonged viewing at the Fishing Lodge. Additionally hybrid Caspian x Herring Gull (yellow ring: X90A) is around again for 5th year so all need checking carefully. Also another ringed Caspian Gull from Germany: yellow X27M was seen recently. No rings on this bird and parents unconfirmed!

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 29 Sep 2023 evening; thanks to rapid reporting and a gamble on a long walk to Littleless Hide the Purple Heron performed well in the setting sun. After several circuits of the bay calling loudly it headed east in the direction of the dam or lagoons at around 18:30

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 01 Oct 2023; the long staying adult Caspian Gull still present and the two Black-necked Grebes off the fishing lodge at dusk.
The Caspian Gull tends to be a loner and doesn't mix with the aggressive Yellow-legged Gulls, frequently sits on the boom at the harbour. These shots taken on a fly past along the dam.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 02 Oct 2023; two Spoonbills late afternoon at the entrance to Savages Creek. Appeared to fly west at dusk. A Grafham rarity.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 03 Oct 2023; finally some record shots of a hooded Yellow-legged Gull that has been around for a while. Possibly a returning individual.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 07 Oct 2023: two days observing the Yellow-legged Gull around the Dudney and Littless Creeks finally gave some much better shots, it shows a clear hood particularly when there is neutral light. The bird spends a lot of time roosting on the floating barrier across the bays.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 12 Oct 2023; six Whooper Swans flew over south , Brent Goose around until dusk, Sanderling, Turnstone, Dunlin and Redshank formed the wader flock! Two Caspian Gulls and at least 10 Yellow-legged gulls
This is the very tame bird calling and displaying to the immature, it allows close approach.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 29 Oct 2023; Juv Great Northern Diver eventually relocated from the dam at close range. Light conditions very difficult as always off the dam in the evening.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 4 Nov 2023; the Great Northern Diver and Shag still present.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 11 Nov 2023; the drake 'Green-winged Teal' showed well st the south end of the dam all morning in perfect viewing conditions unlike the previous bird (or same bird). A few photos here to scrutinise for the finer points in deciding if the bird is a 'pure' Green-winged.
AU0I6674c1 | Matthew Rodgers | Flickr

 

[GWB77]

Grafham 11 Nov 2023; the drake 'Green-winged Teal' showed well st the south end of the dam all morning in perfect viewing conditions unlike the previous bird (or same bird). A few photos here to scrutinise for the finer points in deciding if the bird is a 'pure' Green-winged.
AU0I6674c1 | Matthew Rodgers | Flickr

Have you seen something to suggest it might be a hybrid?

I see nothing (yet) to suggest that. The flank feathers are adult type, so it is moulting out of eclipse, which would explain the narrow white vertical breast stripe. The reduced yellow around the face and apparent lack of white line by undertail coverts all suggest GWT too.

I guess it might be last years 1cy that has come back (probably the same bird in April this year too?)

 

[Matthebirder]

Have been studying the photos for finer details; seems ok so far; maybe needs a bit longer to mature. I do remember that the bird a year ago seemed darker headed overall and stood out from the flock by that feature alone; this one tends to blend in easier with the other males. Hopefully it will stay unless we get a freeze up.

 

[Matthebirder]

Grafham 18 Nov 2023; Green-winged Teal still at south end of the dam. Common Scoter female/imm off lagoons ; (GND reported but eluded me in 5 hours searching!) Red head Goosander off Mander. The leucistic Grey Heron in Valley Creek at dusk looking more heron like now.