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Monday 28 January 2013

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