Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Diary Entry #3

A few hours at Draycote Water this morning heading clockwise from the Visitor Centre to the 'Inlet' and back. I arrived just after 9am with a bitter north-westerly wind blowing and rain in the forecast. The drake Smew was easily spotted just off one of the fishing pontoons and single Raven over.

One of two Grey Wagtails during today's visit
At Hensborough Bank a large flock of Graylag Geese held nothing more of interest within and so too a smaller group of Canada's. Scans out towards the centre yielded the usual Tufted Duck and Goldeneye, a Grey Wagtail on the shoreline the only other species of note.

Scaup sheltering in Rainbow Corner!
At 'The Overflow' a stop for a brief respite had a small group of Long-tailed Tits, along with two Redwing searching the leaf litter. As I rounded Rainbow Corner I paused for a coffee in the relative shelter and while a shower passed. While here a couple of Treecreeper and a single Goldcrest in the small copse. On the water (8) Goosander and sheltering within a group of Tufted Ducks a single Pochard and the long staying Scaup.

Linnet feeding on the Alder at Draycote today!
Circa 30 Tree Sparrows were utilising both feeding stations and at least a half dozen Yellowhammer were also noted. On my return trip thanks to a call from @Bobhazell picking out a pair of Pintail nestled in at the bottom of the 'Inlet', which I missed on my first pass. Despite two Great Northern Divers on site today I never managed to connect with either during my short stay!