Theme For An Imaginary Western - Mountain Part IV

 Theme For An Imaginary Western - Leslie West

Arrival at what in the past had been one of my regular daily stomping grounds,

RADIPOLE LAKE, WEYMOUTH
 was found to be frozen over across much of the southern lagoon

with just a patch of 'open water' down by the road bridge.
In that small area it had become every man (Waterfowl) for themselves,
and was from the start of my visit to the end a

MÊLÉE

of Ducks and Swans fighting for scraps.

Unusually, our first hoped for 'target' bird did seem to be among them
so the search was extended to further along the footpath.
Ahh, they try but they don't get away from me, well not this time at least as the

HOODED MERGANSER
had taken to hiding in a culvert under the road bridge.

Left to its own devices it soon came to open water

and commenced
Fishing Operations

which at first appeared to bring no success

until getting back into the swing of things

after which nothing Piscine seemed to be safe!

While being royally entertained by this dapper little Duck a few

SHELDUCK
 showed themselves adding to the

County List
but still remain absent across our Recording Area.

These most welcome sightings were followed by something a
little more disturbing and maybe a timely reminder that we all

continue to place our rubbish and other unwanted items

in the correct contained so we don't have to watch more stressed creatures such as this
HERRING GULL

There was the occasional sweet refrain from the local Cetti's Warblers,
plus the odd shriek from a Water Rail, with neither breaking cover,
before we caught sight of this 'odd couple'

TEAL and SHOVELER

both males qualifying for inclusion for their stunning plumage alone.

Cast A Giant Shadow
 across the main reed-bed looking north west.
Then came that familiar 'pinging' of our second 'target' Bird

 the amazing

BEARDED TIT
 Then, just to spoil the day, yet another of the RSPB nonessential

 man made structures across a fragile area that really doesn't need all this tat!
All it seems to have accomplished thus far is to provide an access for mankind
to jettison his/her

GASH
 right in the heart of the reeds rather than just around the perimeter.
Anyroad, casting a glace skyward there was sight that took my mind from that, a

 MARSH HARRIER

 another first for the year

 flying slowly and purposefully towards me.

We'll take all the Good Luck that's going - Thanks!

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