LOCKDOWN HAS ENDEDBUT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A TIER SYSTEM.

Lockdown actually finished on the 2nd of December and has been replaced by our Goverment with a Tier System, the area where I live  is in North West Leicestershire and this has been placed in Tier 3, the highest  due to Covid 19 spreading and appearing to be out of control, if only people would observe the rules we would not be in the awful position we find ourselves in today, case are rising at an alarming rate with nearly 22,000 new cases today. The hope was that by the 16th we would be placed into Tier 2 but that does not really seem feasible. This is making birding very difficult as to the rules you cannot travel from one Tier Area into another. We are in Tier 3 and Rutland is in Tier 2, this covers Rutland Water and Eyebrook Reservoir, so neither are places I can visit without the chance of a heavy fine. I understand it is for our own safety but it is very easy to stay well clear of people and still have an afternoons birdwatching, lets keep fingers crossed and hope for a Tier change.

An up date on the Barn Owls, I see at least two birds most evening when dry each coming out of both boxes before  flying away.

I have just checked and it appears we may change to Tier 2 at midnight on Wednesday the 16th.

Little Egret, Dam Wall,  Swithland  Reservoir.

One of two of these birds feeding along the dam face, with some green algae floating about , hence green feet instead of yellow and green legs.

Second Little Egret with feet showing a little more yellow.

Great White Egret, Top half of Reservoir, in a tree on Brazil Island.

This image taken from in the car on a causeway that crosses part of the top part of the Reservoir, not the best of images but the bird was on checking 683 metres away/, taken on my first visit on the 24th of November.

This image taken on the 10 th of December, the first dry day since my previous visit, this bird suddenly appeared from my right and flew past, so it was a case of grab the camera and shoot. Talking with my birding pal Rhys he tells me this is one of four that appear to be traversing between Swithland Reservoir,  Cropston Reservoir and Cossington Meadows.

It eventually landed some 320 metres away, and had a walk about.

Mallard Drake, from Causeway.

This taken before it started raining on the 24th of November, I always think they are such a beautifully marked duck.

Black Headed gull, from Causeway.

When I looked out the other morning we had twelve  of these gulls at the top end of our land.

SOME MORE RED KITE IMAGES, FROM MY LAST VISIT BEFORE LOCKDOWN.

It is most unlike me to have taken so many images on one visit, I would normally take a few images then spend as much time as possible watching the delightful birds swooping and chasing each other, but luckily I took some extra to help me through these lean times before hopefully managing to get out farther a field.