A Scootering Scoter

I've said it before and I'll say it again, don't write July off for birding.  It doesn't have to be all moths, butterflies, dragonflies and other creepy crawlies.  Take Thursday for example, checking Uttoxeter Quarry after work before it floods again.  A drake Common Scoter had appeared:

I find it a strange phenomenon that Common Scoters appear on inland waters at this time of year, but it always happens.  It would've been nice to check the quarry after work on Friday, after all the rain, But with a couple of closed, flooded roads between work and home, at Sandon and Lower Tean, perhaps it's best to make sure I can actually get home!

Checking the quarry this morning, it had indeed flooded for the fourth time since the end of April.  The Common Scoter was still present, 5 Green Sandpipers found a flood in a field to their liking, 10 Common Sands were wandering around a combination of the little remaining shoreline, and the flotsam and jetsam adjoining the shore.  It was also really pleasing to find a family party of Spotted Flycatchers, at least they've been successful:

Not sure what birding is going to be done tomorrow, I hear there's a little game of tennis on the telly to watch.