Northern pintail in breeding plumage An early February day at Leighton Moss. For me, the Northern Pintail is the highlight of the season. A focus that came upon us gradually.
Walking the causeway through the reed-beds is always full of interest. Handfuls of bird seed, scattered by the path lured birds into view. Willow tits, a tree creeper and a nuthatch. I could hear redpoll but could not see them.
Walking the causeway through the reed-beds is always full of interest. Handfuls of bird seed, scattered by the path lured birds into view. Willow tits, a tree creeper and a nuthatch. I could hear redpoll but could not see them.
Volunteers found us a second tree creeper and told of a flock of siskin that feasted on last summer’s alder cones. A birder shared with us a marsh harrier over the reed beds and fed a robin out of his hand. There were mystery birds deep in the reeds. I heard a water rail squeal.
Early February. Birds are in breeding plumage and we watched swans in courtship behaviour. Admiring a pintail from Lilian’s Hide, we gradually realised that the birds hunkered down on the man-made island were all pintails. Photographs show plumage from different aspects but it’s the significance of the season that interest me, their presence here on this freshwater pool amongst the reedbeds and their behaviour.
Male and female pintails were pairing and soon to breed. But not here. In winter, pintails gather in numbers on freshwater pools, in estuaries, but to breed they migrate to northern Europe, to North America. I love the thought of their summer breeding habitat on the northern tundra.
The pintail is a dabbling duck. They dip, head-down to forage on aquatic plant material. Not a diving duck. That up-ended posture is often observed as they feed.
Male and female pintails were pairing and soon to breed. But not here. In winter, pintails gather in numbers on freshwater pools, in estuaries, but to breed they migrate to northern Europe, to North America. I love the thought of their summer breeding habitat on the northern tundra.
The pintail is a dabbling duck. They dip, head-down to forage on aquatic plant material. Not a diving duck. That up-ended posture is often observed as they feed.
Editing images, I like the patterns where bird's belly catches the meniscus on the water, and its reflection.
An Audobon website includes recordings of various pintail calls. We didn't hear them calling this morning but it would be tricky to pick out their call from amongst the other birds.
An Audobon website includes recordings of various pintail calls. We didn't hear them calling this morning but it would be tricky to pick out their call from amongst the other birds.
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