Ripple & Rutland

Glossy Ibis

Birding in North Arm

Red Kite

Birding from Old Hall

A couple of trips away from the pits over the last fortnight have included Ripple Pits & Rutland Water. 

The views of the Ripple Pit Glossy Ibis were a little distant before it disappeared. It seems to be coming and going so lets hope its located again within the county border as these birds make interesting viewing at close quarters. There were large number of ducks on the south lake including Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and a single female Red-crested Pochard. Also recorded in the visit were 5 Oystercatcher, a Little Egret and a flock of Herring & Lesser Blacked Gulls. 

This Saturday I called in at Rutland Water after attending a Sport Memorabilia auction in Leicester. Rutland is one of the most reliable places to see all the grebes species. I concentrated birding two areas, Old Hall & the North Arm. From Old Hall, I managed to find the Red-necked Grebe after a lot of scanning & six distant Scaup. Viewing the North Arm, one of my favourite places, included 3 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Black-necked Grebes, many Great Crested Grebe, Common Gulls, Goldeneye, two Scaup, & two Red Kite.