Cormorants in winter sun

Despite still being rather croaky, it was too beautiful a day to stay inside. And I'd already promised to take Chris out for a birthday jaunt, so I swallowed a couple of paracetamol, wrapped myself up warmly and went to pick him up just after 11.

Initially we drove to a churchyard near Oakham where some Pink Waxcaps had been spotted recently, but the grass was still frozen, as were the waxcaps, which were also definitely past their best. At least we know where to go next autumn!

We then drove a short distance to the bird-watching centre at Rutland Water and spent the rest of the afternoon visiting the various hides. It was a lot quieter than on some of our previous visits, but after a slow start we were pleased to get good views of a Great White Egret (see extra), which was being seriously harassed by a Grey Heron. On our last visit in 2015 this had been our target species, a real rarity, but now they are quite regular on the larger water bodies in the area. 

The other birdwatching highlight was seeing three redhead Smew (see extra) though unfortunately they were backlit against the painfully bright late afternoon sun, which was also reflecting off the water. Still, they were the first of the year for me, and brought my bird list up to a respectable 154.

I could have posted either of these as my main blip, but actually some of the most enjoyable parts of our trip involved much commoner wildlife - a pair of rats scavenging under the bird feeders near the centre, a very smart sunlit fox making its way round the reservoir margin, thousands of coot, wigeon and tufted duck feeding on waterweed, their actions providing a gentle splashy soundscape that was so relaxing, perfect ASMR material. 

And I loved this very confiding pair of cormorants, swimming together, the perfect light emphasizing the glorious greenish colour of their eyes and the yellow patch at the base of their beaks, features of these handsome birds which are often overlooked.