Another visit to Bennerley Marsh. The 20+ Golden Plover were scattered across the edges of the flood pools and were watched by Black headed Gulls eager for snatching ane asy worm. Lapwings looked resplendent in the sun and a pair of Little Ring Plovers ran amongst bigger birds.

A strange coincidence. Just as I was asked by another birdwatcher if I had seen anything of the Kingfisher, a small bird flew into a Hawthorn on the riverbank. Its colours glowed even without the telescope and to our surprise the Kingfisher sat in full view for some minutes before plunge diving and flying off out of view.

Golden Plover. Bennerley Marsh. Feeding on the far bank. Inconspicuous and quite hard to locate on the sere grass especially in the frequent snow showers. They were occasionally harrassed by Black headed Gulls. Also with Lapwings, Teal and Wigeon. Extremely cold, numbing wind blowing across the marsh punctuated by brief periods of sunshine. A commotion was heard above as a group of Pied Wagtails mobbed a passing Buzzard.

Wollaton Park lake. Egyptian Geese.

Canada Geese feeding in a blizzard. Wollaton Park. The paint actually froze on the paper it was that cold and I had to give up, completing the picture at home.

 

Fallow does sitting out in the open covered in snow from a passing blizzard. After a time they got to their feet shaking the snow off their coats before walking up to the feeding area.

A group of Fallow deer resting in the sfternoon sun. This buck is seen regularly guarding a group of does. Difficult to draw, not because they are always moving but because groups of people, dog walkers, people with cameras and joggers  disturb them.

The Does stand up, alert to a passing jogger and his dog.

Fallow Bucks resting at dusk

 

Red and Fallow Deer gathering around the beet. Sunny evening but with a nip in the air. All the deer were gathered including the Fallow Bucks and Red Deer Hinds.

Red Deer stags at Wollaton Park. The Fallow and Red Deer had gathered at the top of the hill around the feeding area. They sat motionless for long periods probably to conserve energy in this continuous spell of cold arctic weather. Towards dusk the clattering of antlers could be heard as the deer became active and sparred with each other.

Stag grooming himself after getting up.