Graveyard Shift

 Alan Shorrock and I paid a morning visit to Blatherwycke today hoping to catch up with the Hawfinches that I'd seen on New Years Day. On arrival we bumped into a couple that had just left the churchyard and they bought the worrying news that they had dipped. Despite this unwelcome newsflash we maintained an optimistic outlook and forged on to take up station amongst the gravestones where we waited for the finches to appear.

Hawfinches

Fortune favoured us as after about ten minutes Shozzer found the pair in one of the large trees next to the churchyard. Although quite distant we did get reasonable views before they dropped down out of sight. After a relatively short wait the birds appeared again and this time in a closer tree so we were able to take some reasonable pictures of them. Once they had disappeared for a second time we decided to give them some peace and headed off in the direction of Eyebrook Reservoir.

Greenfinch

Eyebrook is enjoying something of a purple patch at the moment and rather a lot of birders were around hoping to catch up with the goodies. Sunny conditions made viewing a bit difficult from Stoke Dry car park but I still managed to pick out the female Ring-necked Duck. Given that she was closer to the other side views were far from great but it was still nice to catch up with her again. Somewhat closer were a trio of Avocets that have been here for a few days now and were feeding at the sharp end. Also present here was a Great White Egret which almost gleamed in the sunshine. Plenty of dabbling ducks remain including a very healthy population of Pintails.

Great White Egret and Avocet

We moved round to the other side of the res parking near the gate opposite the car park. From here we got much better views of the Ring-necked and even managed a few record shots. While she spent most of her time feeding there were several spells when she stopped to either snooze or preen and our views were more sustained. Alan picked out a female Red Crested Pochard but we couldn't find the Scaup that another birder had found here earlier.

Record shot Ring-necked Duck.

Better luck attended our Scaup searching from a spot north of the island where three female and one adult drake were found. Always distant we nevertheless managed decent views through the scopes. Also showing in the same general area were two drake and one redhead Smew. By now bellies were beginning to rumble and we packed up our gear and headed off, if only all local birding trips could be so productive!