Alan Shorrock and I braved the blustery conditions to pop into Wakerley Wood on a search for Crossbills. Sadly for us our efforts were not to be rewarded and we had to settle for a small selection of common species of which the best were Siskins. Despite the Crossbill no show there was no lasting dipression and we decided to cross over the border and have a peek at Eyebrook reservoir.
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| Wakerley Robin and Eyebrook Blue Tit |
Water levels at the res have risen quite a bit since my last visit which appears to have reduced the numbers of both dabbling ducks and waders. Some Pintails are still about however with at least half a dozen present at the sharp end. An unpleasant soundtrack of gunfire provided some background noise as a murderous assemblage were blasting away on neighbouring fields. The fusillade did not appear to bother the now seemingly resident Avocets and Shozzer and I spent a few minutes watching two feeding in the shallows. Alan caught sight of half a dozen Dunlin in flight which I managed to miss and in fact I didn't see any at all today.
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| Avocets and Smews |
Moving on to the bottom of Hollyoaks Lane gave us the chance to get closer to some of the Smew which we had first seen from the bottom of Stoke Dry hill. At least eight were noted today with a minimum of four drakes and four redheads though there could have been as many as six drakes, it was difficult to judge as the birds were moving about a bit. We spent quite a long time watching and trying to photograph them before moving on to north of the island. First one and then a second drake Scaup were found which though quite distant still provided good views. Some record quality shots were grabbed before we decided to pack up the gear and head off.
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| Scaup |
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