Millbrook Lake Cornwall - Cookie's Bird Watching

Spent another lovely afternoon here yesterday and saw a few more bird treats!

 

The solitary Egyptian Goose was still here - seen in the distance - but appeared to be walking fine on the leg which was lame last time, which is good news. The bad news is, if he sticks around here he will never mate as there are no other Egyptian Geese around - he seems to have taken up with a Shelduck which sadly will not increase the numbers of these Geese in the South West! Wondering if I should report this to the RSPB and whether they would find it important enough to consider relocating him to the East Coast? Does anyone have any links with the RSPB to advise?

The shelducks were there and doing well again. No sign of the Little Grebes this time though - this is a tidal lake with a sluice connecting it to the tributaries of the Tamar River - perhaps they only visit on high tide times??

Today though I saw my first Little Egret close up - they seem to be quite timid birds and getting anywhere near them scared them off. I love their funny yellow feet.

The mallard family were a surprise - my first ducklings of the year - but there seemed to be 12 in her brood - an amazing amount - perhaps predation is much lower on the lake than on the main riverbank?

Just can't resist photos of ducks!

Hope you enjoy. I think Millbrook Lake is going to become my local space as Bill Oddie puts it! It will be great to monitor how things change over the year and between different tide levels.

 

Great pictures CM.

 

Cookie, the Egyptian goose is probably an escapee from a wildfowl collection, they and Muscovy ducks were common introducions in the UK many decades ago. As they have bred in the wild it maybe a solitary bird. There is always the possibility it is a wild one that's lost it's way but I think it is orginally a domestic/wildfowl collection goose.
I remember the first time I saw a Little Egret, they were rare visitors then, they are such elegant birds.
I am hoping that with the largest ever number of overwintering Cattle Egrets and increasing numbers of Spoonbills that they will, in time, colonise the UK too.
Had a Hoopoe here at Portland this week but I have not been able to get down there, I might go there or to one of the other reserves maybe very early tomorrow morning before I go to work.

 

Thanks guys!

Pro - hoping you might catch a peregrine in the Wye valley sometime for us to see!

Shiney - I have only just ventured into the realm of the telephoto but am having difficulty getting sharp pictures with no handshake blur on full zoom without using a tripod - not exactly conducive to photographing wildlife!!!

Strongy - twas you inspired me to get out onto the tidal mudflats of the Tamar after seeing your spoonbills! Thanks for the inspiration! Good spotting tomorrow. Hope to see some nice pics again from you lot soon! The British Birds thread needs you!

 

cookie your so privaliged (that spelling is wrong im sure) living in that lovely haven of devon. I Live in the subs of manchester. where even the magpies have lost teir eggs to the grey squirrel.

 

Ahhh O2 - that's nature isn't it. I'm afraid - not all fluffy bunnies but the harsh reality of survival. There is great beauty in nature but accompanied always by death and loss. That is life. But I'm sure even in the most urban of places - Manchester included - that if you look you will find little sanctuaries where nature finds a way. Back gardens, public parks, canals and rivers - check out all of these for potential animal and bird life! See, you have grey squirrels for a start - they are entertaining to watch and have just as much right to be present as any animal. Magpies steal nestlings and new fledglings for food - it is just one great big circle of life and death and renewal.

 

cookie your absolutley right. I just love David Atenborough nature programmes, + others. but it still hurts when animal kills animal to survive. I know its the way of things. but it still hurts when another animal loses its life for another. I understand the forces of nature I just find it hard to accept(does anyone know where im coming from) ???

 

Great pics Cookie

 

Hi,
Lovely pictures of the ducks and geese at millbrook lake :-) I live right near here and the Egyptian goose is still here and very well 8 years on Great info from you, as I was looking everywhere trying to find out what type of goose the Egyptian one was. Did you ever notice he has a very distinctive quack?