A Lesser Scaup was found at Ogston Reservoir, Derbyshire (First County Record) yesterday morning (16th March). I got the news around 11am but unfortunately for me, I had other arrangements pre-planned and could not escape to see the bird. Never mind I thought, it's a duck, ducks usually stay for more than a day. No problem, I'll go in the morning. This morning up bright and early and at Ogston for just after 7:30am. After a good hour or so flogging around and the regular Aythia Hybrid (Pochard/Scaup type) trying to catch us out, there was no sign and the bird had obviously departed over night. Nevermind, there will be another….
So off to Carsington Reservoir and 4 nice Great Northern Divers and an adult Whooper Swan were all on view. I've never seen 4 Great Northerns all together at one site in Derbyshire before, so I did get a county first today!!. Still no spring migrants though. Later in the afternoon I decided to visit my local patch in the hope of a Sand Martin. No luck yet but a large gathering of 650 Black-headed Gull & 50 Common Gull was quiet a sight on a flat calm water.
Wood Pigeon – looking rather miserable in cold conditions – Tony Davison©
Collard Dove – Tony Davison©
Great Northen Diver – record shot of one of the four birds at Carsington – Tony Davison©
Tree Sparrow – male – Carsington, Derbyshire – a great place to see this species – Tony Davison©
Tree Sparrow – male – Carsington, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Lovely shots.