Draycote Water
It had to be Draycote Water today…Draycote has had a most impressive start to 2008; in addition to the long staying Lesser Scaup (in residence since 28th Nov 07) other sightings have included Smew, Red Breasted Merganser, Slavonian & Red Necked Grebe, a Long Tailed Duck and even a Fulmar!
Arrived shortly after 8.30am and slowly headed up towards Toft bay having a good old scan for the Red Necked Grebe. Conversation with other birders revealed that the bird was last seen heading over towards Valve Tower. Maybe we’d have better luck with the Lesser Scaup? (About time we twitched it after all!!!) The LS was resting under the willows right at the back of Toft (lifer – first of 2008!) other birders kindly helped us find it, it wasn’t showing too well and I wouldn’t have been able to pick it out myself from that distance. Many Little Grebes and Goldeneye along Farnborough Bank; Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard and a Kingfisher (year tick) in Toft Bay.
Walked back towards the café, ready by now for a nice warm cuppa, but a crowd was gathering just in front of the visitor centre on Farnborough bank - we were greeted by delighted birders who informed us that the Red Necked Grebe had returned to its former spot! Awesome views of the RN Grebe followed (lifer), very close in at times.
After a refuelling stop at the café we walked up towards Valve Tower. News had just broken that a Great Northern Diver had just been found up that way and we also had a Smew to catch up with. Near the Valve we had a female Goosander (year tick) and we eventually saw the GN Diver, quite far out towards Biggin Bay by now. Still no Smew though, the latest news; the pesky critter was back in Toft.
Walked back round that way, taking in the Red Necked Grebe once again. Impressive numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare (both year ticks) feeding with Starlings in the fields off Farnborough. Also a Buzzard and Kestrel seen today.
Smashing end to the day – back in Toft the Lesser Scaup was now showing 20ft from the shore near the car park, this time allowing us to get a good look and be able to recognise the bird for ourselves. Also 9 Goosander. Oh, and we finally caught up with the Smew which had eluded us all day (although not for long! Nice year tick nonetheless).
A truly memorable day, not only because of all the great birds we saw but also because all the other birders (there were loads!) were super friendly and helpful J.