Smews And Other News

 December has been a pretty damp affair so far, last Sunday was rained off and so too was yesterday morning. A welcome break in the weather gave me the chance to hop on the X4 and ride over to Oundle and check out the floods between Barnwell Lock and the A605. Leaving the Saturday shoppers behind I walked along towards the river and was fairly surprised by the extent of the flooded area. Not much to report other than the usual common dabblers and masses of Lapwings but I'll be keeping an eye on the area just in case something else drops in.

The floods at Oundle yesterday.

Today at least started dry and Alan and I popped over to Eyebrook where an increasing number of Smew have been present since November. It didn't take long before we found our first with a drake showing well but quite distantly in the bay southwest of the island. Further searching produced views of another drake and two redheads, one of the other regular birders saw three drakes today which took the total to five. Eyebrook must be one of the best sites in the UK for Smew and I wonder how many more will arrive before the winter is over. Other birds showing around the reservoir today included at least two Great White Egrets and a pair of Red Crested Pochards. The latter showed close to the plantation shore and we got reasonable views of them before the arrival of the forecast rain sent us packing.

Smew and Great White Egret.

Lunch and a pint in the Samuel Lloyd kept us occupied until the rain began to ease which allowed us to visit Wakerley Wood. Although the wood was very quiet for the most part there was one notable and welcome exception. A large flock of Crossbills were heard and then seen flying over one of the paths, we estimated at least thirty five though there may well have been more. Attempts to relocate them failed but their continued presence here suggests that future visits may produce additional sightings. The sun was beginning to set by now and we packed up and set off for Corby and home.

Red Crested Pochards