21st Oct 2016: Pintail ?!

This week we had quite a nice surprise. On Wednesday morning John five ducks fly over that were distant but he thought they were probably Pintail. He managed a photo before they disappeared out of view but it was Thursday evening before he really looked at it. We both believe it confirms the identification though. Pintail are really rare here and I think there has only been two records in the last 20 years? It is also the 126th species for the year list, so we now match last years record. Hopefully we can get a few more before the year is over.

All photos courtesy and copyright of JFT

Other than that it has been fairly quiet and it appears the Common Sandpiper has finally left.

Thursday morning john had a Lapwing drop in briefly, a flock of forty Fieldfare heading south west, and we now have three Great Crested Grebes. Late afternoon I had two Teal on the river and in the evening Mike and John had six Yellow-legged Gulls (4 adults and 2 2CY). This morning there was a bit of activity overhead with a few Redwings, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks over. Siskins were along the river and in the wood. Also, the Willow Tit and Marsh Tit are both still around - the Willow Tit being very vocal.