Stockers Lake Rickmansworth - A Grey Day's Sightings

A visit to an overcast Stockers Lake Rickmansworth with poor light did not stop me from taking a few photos. 

 

An emerging coot from a dive to collect weed.  I love the way the water bulges as the coot surfaces.

A wintering male Goldeneye, one of my favourite ducks at about a 50 yards.  I am waiting for one to get closer.



 

Part of a small flock of Lapwing.

 

A Brown Rat in the reeds at the water's edge.

 

A restful Grey Heron.

Stockers Lake Rickmansworth - Bird Feeder Visitors

Sitting in a hide at Stockers Lake this week, I was watching a bird feeder that was visited mainly by at least four squirrels.

 

This was not a great advert for squirrel proof bird feeders, whilst..... 

 

....below a Brown Rat was picking up what was dropped by the squirrels.

In between the squirrel visits birds did manage some time on the feeder, including this male Greater Spotted Woodpecker...



 

...., seen earlier on the top of a dead tree, whilst.....

 

....Blue Tits and....

....Great Tits waited their turn.



 

Incidentally, when I left the squirrel was still feeding happily inside the feeder so I wonder if it found its way out!

Stockers Lake Rickmansworth - Great Crested Grebe and Kingfisher

A dull morning yesterday at Stockers Lake, but the Great Crested Grebes were lively.

 

This one running swiftly across the surface with the help of wings...

 

....whilst this pair were demonstrating part of their courtship dance (I have only seen this in the Spring before, but was reliably informed that last year eggs were hatched in the Winter)

 

A Great Crested Grebe having a salad with its fish breakfast....

 

....whilst this grebe popped up surprising me and a pair of  Shoveller ducks.

A Kingfisher sat obligingly close as well.



Stockers Lake Rickmansworth - September Insects

A few photos of some insects taken last month.

 

A strange 'True Bug' which I have not been able to identify with any certainty, but possibly a Dock Bug

 

There were over 50 of them confined to just one small area on different foliage with some dock plants around (these are on a nettle)....

....even sneaking into the background of this photo of a parasitic Ichneumon Wasp (possibly Pimpla Hypochondriaca).



 

A possible suitable victim for the Ichneumon Wasp to lay its eggs in?

 

One of the Flesh Flies, hairs and all.

Stockers Lake Rickmansworth - October Hawkers

Despite the cooler weather recently there were Hawkers taking advantage of the sun this morning (Tuesday), the 3rd day of October.

 

I am not certain, but I believe this is a female Brown Chaser.

 

Detail of Head & Thorax....

 

...and wings glistening in the sun.

 

Male Migrant Hawker.

Detail of head and Thorax



Stockers Lake Rickmansworth - Great Crested Grebe Feeding Young

Photos of a pair of Great Crested Grebes feeding their 2 young earlier this week

 

A young bird having difficulty swallowing....

 ......whilst this juvenile comes with a splash to be fed.

 

Adult with fish ready to be handed over....

 

.....and successfully  achieved.

 

I missed the actual handover which was done very quickly until I got this shot.

All taken over a 20 minute period with many more fish caught than I show in these photos.  It looks quite likely that these 2 juveniles will have a good start before they are left to feed for themselves.