Pitstop

 I can barely believe it but my back shift week has arrived with indecent haste which means that I get a lieu day off instead of Saturday. Today was that day and I joined forces with Alan for a trip over to Pitsford. Our main target was the Slavonian Grebe which has been present for a few days, the American or as I prefer to call it South Canadian Wigeon  being a hoped for bonus.

Dunlins and Ringed Plover

In unseasonably warm weather we arrived at the reservoir and parked along the old road a little to the west of the causeway. There are plenty of ducks north of the causeway and we spent some time sifting through in search of the wigeon. I found a drake that looked like a promising candidate, it was a drab looking specimen which suggested a drake coming out of eclipse but the views were distant and brief and the birds all flew before I could get any kind of confirmation. Another birder then gave us up to date gen on the Slavonian and we set off to look for it in Holcot Bay .

Dreadful Slav record shot and GWE

On our way we saw two Dunlins and an immature Ringed Plover on the western bank just north of the causeway, Alan had earlier found a Green Sandpiper in Scaldwell Bay. Plenty of Great White Egrets were found north of the causeway, it's hard to believe how rare this bird used to be in even relatively recent times. Shozzer picked out the grebe and we enjoyed some distant views for the next hour or so, the grebe spent much of its time underwater. Some truly dreadful record shots were attempted with Al's proving to be slightly less offemive than mine! Having decided to call it quits we headed back towards Corby, a stop at the Royal Oak in Walgrave providing some much needed refreshment.

Spitfire and Alan's attempt at a Slav record pic.