Draycote Water - Female Scaup (a four year tick!)

A really mild and sunny morning at Draycote saw me overdressed and sweating (Max, please note!) as I walked the perimeter, requiring many layers to be shed, and hoping for any migrants. The water was "mill pond" calm so if anything was on the water, it could be seen. One of two Great Northern Divers was soon located off Draycote Bank but both remained distant. Five drake Shoveler were located off the inlet before drifting across towards the visitor centre, and four female Goosander departed the inlet towards the centre of the reservoir. Five Buzzards graced the skies, the only other raptor being a Kestrel. As I approached Toft, a text informed me of a Sand Martin sighting off Draycote Bank but alas, it did not wait for me. The water held the usual wildfowl but not in great numbers.

Just off the outlet, my attention was drawn to a largish duck resembling a female Scaup. I followed this bird for quite some time debating the merits of female Tufted Duck against female Scaup. Unable to be sure, due to distance, I took several record shots (very distant and almost useless) and later discussed with Bob H and Richard M. The jury was still out when I needed to leave, but Bob and Richard were going to "seek" it out and attempt confirmation or not. Pleased to say that my four tickless  Scaup - less years are now at an end! The Scaup eventually came in close at Rainbow allowing Bob to get this super image, many thanksBob.

Female Scaup - (courtesy Bob Hazell)

Female Scaup - my embarrassing record shot!

Pied Wagtail

Coot

Underwater Mute SWan

Coot

Dabchick

Dabchick

(More images on my website - see link opposite)

Todays Sightings:

Chaffinch; Magpie; Rook; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Song Thrush; Greenfinch; Blackbird; Goldfinch; Wren; Mallard; Cormorant; Coot; Black Headed Gull; Great Crested Grebe; Pied Wagtail; Tufted Duck; Mute Swan; Kestrel; Shoveler; Canada Goose; Goldeneye; LBB Gull; Gadwall; Great Northern Diver; Buzzard; Green Woodpecker; Dabchick; Wigeon; Herring Gull; Reed Bunting; Teal; Jackdaw; Long Tailed Tit; Dunnock; Great Tit; Moorhen; Blue Tit; Robin; Starling; Common Gull; Stock Dove; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Goosander; Skylark; Pochard; Goldcrest; Pheasant; Scaup.