A stop off at Yaxley, near Peterborough Thursday evening on route to Norfolk for the weekend gave us the opportunity this morning to have a look at the
Baikal Teal currently residing at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes.
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| Baikal Teal record shot - A UK lifer for me! |
We arrived mid-morning in quite murky conditions and after what seemed an eternity finally reached Moor Lake. Indeed the bird was showing extremely well even from the guided bus lane, an amazing piece of technology which allows buses to zoom at god knows what speed past you with the driver sitting arms folded!! After first contact with the bird we took a walk down to the hide for a closer look. It was actually no closer but we enjoyed a half hour in which time Dee came up with one of her classics, '
Ooh! there's yellow bird on the Island', turns out our first
Yellow Wagtail of the year. Well done that girl! Also present
Little-ringed Plover and plenty of
Redshank, singing
Blackcaps seemed everywhere and a couple of
Red-legged Partridge as we drove out of the reserve.
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| Bar-tailed Godwit in the murk! |
On to RSPB Titchwell for an afternoon session and firstly a walk down to the beach where there were literally racks of
Scoter offshore. We did manage to pick out a couple of
Velvet Scoter in the murk and the usual waders were to be had along the shoreline:
Sanderling,
Oystercatcher,
Bar-tailed Godwit,
Curlew,
Turnstone and
Dunlin.
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| Grey Plover - A very grey day weatherwise! |
The highlights during the walk back along the footpath, with a brief stop at the Parrinder Hide included:
Little Egret,
Brent Geese,
Grey Plover,
Black-tailed Godwit,
Avocet,
Ruff and
Little Gull on and around the pools.
Marsh Harriers were quite a feature today, at one time witnessing a 'food-pass' and the
Bearded Tit were pinging away but unfortunately very illusive.
