Whoopers

 I had a very enjoyable walk around the public bits of Eyebrook Reservoir today which was bathed in some beautiful autumnal sunshine. Although wildfowl numbers remain low I managed to catch up with a few decent birds though I failed to find any of the Scaup that were reported by other observers.

Lapwings and Golden Plover

I began my stroll at the Stoke Dry car park from where I noted a Green Sandpiper on the Leics shore. Pintail numbers around the reservoir remain high and there was a notable increase in the numbers of Shovellers present. At least sixty Golden Plovers were mingling with the Lapwings at the inflow though they were flighty and took time to settle after each time they were disturbed. At least one Stonechat was present too though he remained distant and I didn't bother trying to take any pics. I was too early to see any odes at the bridge though I was pleased to hear a Siskin, I don't think that this is going to be one of their better winters.

Pintails and Great White Egret

 My walk continued and I was at the inflow viewing point when a message on the Eyebrook WhatsApp alerted me to the presence of two Whooper Swans near the car park. I'd checked the swans earlier and am reasonably confident that they weren't there when I looked, they may have been the two seen leaving Stanford Res earlier in the morning. It wasn't long before I connected with the swans which were my first of the winter. My views were distant but good enough through the scope and I managed a few record shots of them. Even further away were a pair of Red Crested Pochards that were hugging the shore near the plantation. Although I didn't see many other birds of interest I did see both Common Darter and Migrant Hawker, I wonder if they can last into November?

Red Crested Pochards and Whooper Swans