Sunny December day at East Park

It's the week of the winter solstice, with its short days and low sun. The sun actually shone all day today and I headed to East Park, a great winter birding venue not far from home. A Shag had been reported last week and it didn't take me long to spot it. It was sitting on a post in the middle of the lake. I found it later on the boating jetty, where it was much closer (top shot). The low sun highlighted its green sheen. It has a very reptilian look to it, a snake-like neck and staring bottle-green eyes. It stood on its perch twisting its neck in various positions. A few times it took to the water, and returned shortly to a perch. It appeared to have some damage to the webbing of its left foot.

A Cormorant splashes right below the shag.

This is the Cormorant, note the heavier head and thicker bill and neck.

Stretching its left foot.

And swimming.

As I was watching the shag it became apparent that there were lots of Goosanders about. The light was great to capture the beautiful salmon-pink of the males...

 and the silvery grey of the females.

 There were two groups, of 16 and 14 birds, this is the highest count I've had at East Park, and I must have missed some birds that were loafing on the islands. Some of them slept.

Others were hunting, harassed by Black-headed gulls, which tried to steal the fish that they brought up.

 And yet others were displaying, with that kick-leap forward of the drakes, and much show off and preening.

I managed to capture the iridescence of this drake's head, with grooves like a goose's.

There were about 5 drake Pochards in the lake. Several slept.

 and one of them had a preening session.

A Jackdaw fed with coots and gulls.

 And a male Blackbird sat on a yew that was mostly devoid of berries. Five Grey Squirrels fed on yew seed underneath.

 A Grey Wagtail was on the stream/pool area.

 I watched as a Kestrel flew overhead being mobbed by Black-headed Gulls. A Sparrowhawk was also about. As I was about to leave, a Kingfisher flew past, settling briefly on an elder by the lake.