American Wigeon...Eventually!

 Alan Shorrock and I were planning to pop over to Ravensthorpe Res to see the Slav Grebe and Red-throated Diver but the former didn't seem to hang around and the latter was seen flying off early this morning. We were then left to decide between the Clifford Hill Lesser Scaup and the Eyebrook American Wigeon, after some deliberation we chose to try for the wigeon. Unusually for recent excursions it stayed dry for the most part and the sun even put in an appearance or two making for a much pleasanter experience.

Scaup and Smew

An early report confirmed that the wigeon was still present but it managed to defy the combined efforts of both Shozzer, I and other hopefuls to find it. At least six Smew and eleven Scaup did show and while they were distant at first we did get closer views of both a little later on. The inflow provided sightings of the now long staying immature Whooper Swan and also the trio of Pink-footed Geese as well as a pair of Pintail.  We then had another look for the wigeon but eventually decided that it was going to elude us and headed for the 'spoons instead.

Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Geese

We were sitting in the pub and enjoying a beer when news came through that the American Wigeon had been found north of the island. Pints were duly sunk and a hasty return took us back to the res where we managed to catch up with the exotic American visitor. By now the light was failing but the wigeon showed well enough, several duff record shots were taken before the arrival of the rain. Having had more than enough of the wet stuff recently we waved the white flag at this point and headed back to Corby content with our day's haul.

American Wigeon record shots.