Alton Water - 27/2/2019

RED-THROATED DIVER

 

There are certain rare occasions, odd moments in human endeavour, where we accidentally create something that is of benefit to wildlife, while working towards some other goal. Alton Water is one example, a large reservoir created to provide water to the town of Ipswich and as a result wildlife that hadn't been present before now found new habitat in this big area of water.

The reservoir looks natural, is surrounded by trees, and the light on this beautiful day had an ethereal glow as the warmest February in history came to a close.

 





The bird is in winter plumage, in summer its a stunning bird

 

I have rarely visited Alton Water before, and not for about four years, I don't know for what reason, just I have always concentrated on the areas of water closer to where I live. Maybe I just thought it wasn't good as a bird place, but today I was pleasantly surprised - it was actually better than I thought. Its not  too far from my home so I shall be back again, probably when I have exhausted all the other local birding places again. 

 



 GREAT-CRESTED GREBES displaying

 

Key bird today was a RED-THROATED DIVER, a bird that has been present for a couple of weeks. When I got there I spotted it right away, I was surprised how easy it  was to find. It was seen from the causeway, a road that cuts a "tail" off from the main body of the reservoir, and it got very close so I could take a few photos without having to crop later.

 There are several car parks around the reservoir, with a couple of hides at strategic positions, which becomes a meeting place for birdwatchers, and there were quite a lot, probably as a result of being close to Ipswich, and it seems a good place to find out local bird news, whats been seen in the area.
Yesterday there were reports of BLACK-THROATED and GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, rare birds in Suffolk even more so inland. Unfortunately they weren't recorded today, despite the number of birdwatchers present, the birds would be easy to find if were still present, they are quite distinctive.

 

 MALLARDS in flight

 

The species seen in the largest numbers was the GREAT-CRESTED GREBE, with many birds starting to pair off. There were the beginnings of their display, where the two birds would straighten up towards each other, and then shake their heads back and forth (see photo). These birds have really benefited from Alton Water's creation, their main habitat is large deep bodies of water and there must be at least 20 pairs present at this site.
DUCKS weren't particularly common, with GOLDENEYE being in the largest number, scattered around the water, with a few TUFTED DUCK, and some GADWALL pairing off for the mating season. A female POCHARD was by the hide with three SHELDUCK, which could easily be nesters or migrants.

The causeway

 



There were the usual small birds gearing up for the breeding season, with various twitterings in the bordering woods. A KINGFISHER was seen from the causeway and another one from one of the hides, both briefly in flight, but I was still able to appreciate their beauty.
It was an interesting place to visit, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw today. A lot has been done on the reservoir to protect the wildlife there, which has to compete with other leisure activities like fishing and sailing. In the end everyone has to use the countryside in their own way, it shouldn't be off limits, and it should be free to all to appreciate the great outdoors. Its just finding that balance so everyone can benefit.