Blowing in the Wind

Cor, what a windy few days it's been! It made for tricky birding conditions yesterday, just for keeping the scope still, but easier today.

Spending the morning at Uttoxeter Quarry, and just missing Andy's fly-through Grey Plover. A big increase in duck numbers, with at least 500 Mallard, 300 Teal and 100 Wigeon.

Other duck included 15 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, 13 Pochard and 6 Shelduck already making their way inland. The Pink-footed Goose still with the Greylags, and 4 Dunlin and c120 Golden Plovers with c300 Lapwings. A most pleasing visit.

Heading over to Chasewater for the gull roost was also productive. However, it wasn't the easiest roosts as many of the gulls were taking shelter from the wind, in the north-west corner and packing themselves in quite tightly. Thankfully, an adult Med Gull was seen early on, and eventually the stunning near-adult Iceland Gull showed well on the water.



As for today, with much less wind. 5 Goosander and 19 Mandarin at Brookleys Lake. Spending the afternoon at Uttoxeter Quarry until dusk, the only difference in wildfowl was a drake Pintail. 35 Goosander roosted, 6 Ravens and a Grey Wagtail flew over.