New Year Waterfowl

This year has been incredibly good locally for unusual waterfowl.

Brent Goose at Newport Pagnell Gravel Pits

A Brent Goose I found at Gayhurst Quarry was a site and county tick for me. It managed to disappear before anyone else could see it though. Luckily it reappeared later at Newport Pagnell Gravel Pits.

 

 

A flock of 8 Scaup at Caldecotte Lake was the largest ever recorded in the county.

 

7 of the 8 Scaup at Caldecotte Lake

 

 

Goosanders though not exactly rare winter visitors to these parts are always nice to see.

drake Goosander on the River Ousel

 

                                                 A fine drake Smew turned up at Willen

drake Smew at Willen (click on the picture for a better look)

 

This Barnacle Goose remains at Emberton after all it's associates left for the winter. I think it's wing is damaged.

Barnacle Goose at  Emberton

 

 Nearby Bedfordshire has been exceptionally good this year.
Within ten miles of home I have managed to see a Great Northern Diver at Kempston Hardwick, 3 Smew at Stewartby, 3 Scaup and a Slavonian Grebe at Brogborough and at Priory Country Park a drake Red-crested Pochard, a Black-necked Grebe and this superb drake Ferruginous Duck.

Ferruginous Duck at Priory Park