KGV

A walk along the east bank at KGV today gave me a site tick when I found a single Golden Plover on the causeway. It was distant and in thick fog so I didn't manage a photograph but I'm happy to add it to my KGV list which now stands at 133 as I also added Redshank having seen one today too and on checking realised I didn't have that on my site list either.

Also seen on this visit were a Slavonian Grebe, Greater Scaup, Drake Smew and a female Goosander. There were still at least twenty Goldeneye on site and a single Wigeon.  

I had a quick walk around Connaught waters on the way home hoping to bump into the Falcated duck that keeps getting reported there but I keep missing it and today was no different. I know it's an escapee but I've never seen one so I'd like to catch up with it if I can. I found ten Mandarin and Five of the Ringed Teal which gave me a chance to get the camera out. The Ringed Teal are of course escaped/released birds but they are pretty cool still and will probably try to breed again this year as there's at least the one female on site.

Ringed Teal

Ringed Teal

Female Ringed Teal

Ringed Teal

Mallard

Mandarin

Female Mandarin

Mandarin

Mandarin

Mandarin pair

Smew

Slavonian Grebe in the mist

No new birds for the year yet but it won't be long before I find a spring arrival on my travels.

I also took Dad to Abberton on Monday (missed the Sea Eagle by a day). We found a redhead Smew three Tundra Bean Geese, 3 Spoonbill, 2 Great White Egrets but little else of note for our effort.

Year list still 165