Rye Meads & Amwell - 15th and 16th February 2024

A break in the weather and a chance for a couple of very local trips. First stop was at Rye Meads with high water levels at the Draper hide. I'm used to seeing Little Grebes here but a Great Crested Grebe was unusual.

A few Pochard around and sad to hear that numbers of this attractive duck are falling. This one came in close for a wash.

Teal are our smallest duck and it was nice to see a small flock fly in.

It is always entertaining watching Coots and their endless battles! There were quite a few squabbles over mates and territories.

But the star bird was this tiny Goldcrest just past the hide.

Amwell the following day provided a red head Smew, Red-Crested Pochards, Raven and a female Goosander, but all too far away for meaningful pictures. However, on Widbury Hill six Red Kites were riding the thermals in beautiful light.

And finally, by the entrance to James hide, a small flock of Siskin.

Great to have such close views!