For some unknown reason I didn't wake this morning until shortly after 10.30am and while enjoying a wake up coffee at the computer noticed via Twitter that a drake Smew had arrived at Draycote Water.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgxyI6vn9jCd6IqGtBYvFdcCW7JOrS7CH3n1nyMIe7e6B09y_x9aPZbcEorfkkAeeppdfM0HtzBdmbrGjrIh3ERgZ3OX3xpxOJXknQtCk8U6k95s43f6sy5DEPlZGRtwNVmdMZgtQgDhD/s400/IMG_7668.JPG) |
Great Northern Diver off Saddle Bank |
On arrival a quick call to Richard Mays, who I noticed at Farnborough Spit had me walking clockwise passed the sailing club and along Hensborough Bank. This produced a couple of
Dunlin, which flew past towards Rainbow Corner. I stopped for a catch up with Bob Hazell & Keith Foster who were heading back to the centre before moving on. A couple of
Great Northern Divers were off Saddle Bank, including the poor bird which has a fish hook stuck in it!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAtqTyjEQr7qyUhNhKltlz6Dg2c0QQVG9FwxCa9BcvnALcS1Zek41A9PmKgaPeJqIRRaNL-ICv9NkqoIJyPp3rjEe1_6-vVAoBuT3ZCflCWTND4IUY3YjhRVBBY4VJ3SBNCU59op3Atat/s400/IMG_7655.JPG) |
Gorgeous Drake Smew close in off Draycote Bank |
Along Barn Bank I connected with at least a half dozen
Goosander and a
♀Pintail was hanging around the Inlet. The star of the show of course had to be this mornings new arrival, a stunning drake
Smew! I located him along Draycote Bank, thanks to Richard, Bob & Keith's information and patiently waited for him to come quite close, really inquisitive little birds I always feel. Sure enough he duly obliged and the canon SX50 went to work in the glorious sunshine.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkH5r4VJPC6YuluPxYj5czwzmXhwfvzqV9MEprAk8rMvsVEBYUSk6mCRC1pgRArWa2js4wc9iTqUnniWpG4HTTlKlvssKrpre4EQdF5bSVZUAUvlGnMlSQjbv5k92daBjQLA4HE45PlWP/s400/IMG_7662.JPG) |
Little Egret at 'The Inlet' |
Having filled my boots, so to speak, I headed back to the car park but not before spending a short time photographing a
Little Egret at 'The Inlet'. As I passed back around Rainbow Corner a couple of
Goldcrest were calling and as I searched for the calls a cracking
Blackcap appeared along with several
Long-tailed Tits.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb-9duD_qsOUoqZ2dsFOVXsWqT2D3bG6I4mVaG8aa3Rq9qKGQzxwLh5Rt47A_PYU7E71cn1IfYG_8gOT9ZNPTHZZwnVph3D4LGmPu7tPUKrLmCyMf36h10m4p2wuEY55a-WqI3L7BEwam/s400/IMG_7657.JPG) |
Drake Smew - Definitely the bird of the day! |
An excellent couple of hours in glorious sunshine and a mention also for the equally as splendid
Goldeneye's, they too looking rather gorgeous!!