Finally found the elusive Baikal Teal at Pymoor Cambridgeshire

We decided to head up the M11 this morning intent on searching for the Baikal Teal that the Jim's dipped on a week or so ago, On route I headed off on a short detour into Hertfordshire where I'd had a tip off regarding Lesser spotted Woodpecker activity and sure enough within a couple of minutes of our arrival we were looking at our first LSP for a year.

Lesser spotted Woodpecker

LSW

LSW

LSW

The little cracker showed really well giving us our best ever views. With distant record shots taken we returned to our planned route up the M11/A10 into Pymoor Cambridgeshire. On arrival a small group of birders had the target in scope although quite distant but before we could climb the bank the bird had exited the pool and was now back under cover of the reeds. We watched for a while as Teal, Shoveler, Shelduck, Pintail, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Cormorant and Lapwing came and went but eventually the Asian visitor came back out to reveal it's splendor to the small crowd and with a bit of scope sharing we all managed a view before it sloped back off to the cover of the reed bed. Satisfied with our distant views of this lifer (allowing for it's acceptance onto the British list which seems likely) we headed back to the car and made the 20 mile drive across to Lynford.

Scanning the drinking pool by the visitor centre we found a small group of Common Crossbill before a male Two-barred came in to the trees. This seemed to be the moulting bird not the full adult we'd hoped to connect with. We walked further down the track and had good views of a Hawfinch sat high in the tree tops and then to our surprise heard our second LSW of the day. We walked along the footpath into the woods and found the little woodpecker although our view this time was only of it flying away. Grey Wagtails came in to visit the drinking pool and Goldcrest looked to be nest building as a pair gathered material.
On the walk back we were delighted to find the adult male and female Two-barred Crossbill in with a group of Crossbill. The male then isolated itself on top of the trees to give splendid scope views.

Two-barred Crossbill

We returned then to the car park and made our journey south with four year ticks and a possible lifer should the teal get it's expected acceptance.

Goldcrest

Grey Wagtail

Red-legged Partridge

Hare