Slav No Show

 A much better day weatherwise with plenty of sunshine and much less wind than yesterday. Alan Shorrock and I took advantage of this improvement to pay yet another visit to Eyebrook. Sadly for us the brace of Slavonian Grebes appear to have gone, no one seems to have reported them today and we had to rely on for some familiar faces to keep us entertained.

Goldeneye and Cormorant colour ring

From Ketley's Corral we had distant views of the two Cattle Egrets near the fishing lodge and I also noted my first Goldeneyes of the autumn. Two brownhead Goosanders were also noted though these departed southwards heading over the dam. A search of the area failed to produce a sighting of the Red-throated Diver and we headed off down the reservoir. The diver resurfaced from the gateway near Hollyoaks Lane from where it showed rather distantly as it actively fed near the plantation. Alan found a male Stonechat here though it didn't hang around too long before moving on. We checked several other areas without much result  though a colour ringed Cormorant was of interest, preliminary research suggests that it may have been rung at Rutland Water.

Common Darter and Willow Emerald

At the bridge odes came to the fore, a male Common Darter was the first of four or five to be seen today and these included one that used my head for a perch. Of equal interest were the four Willow Emeralds on the Rutland side of the border. Birds noted from the bridge included Siskins and a Great White Egret but in truth there wasn't that much in view. After a brief run down the Rutland side we made our way back along the Leicestershire side. We were treated to slightly closer views of the Red-throated and I managed my best pictures so far, at this rate of improvement I should get some cracking shots by about May 2024! Alan found the immature Pink-footed Goose that had been reported earlier and we watched it for a few minutes before heading for home.

Red-throated Diver and Pink-footed Goose