18/03/2021 Mythop, Blackpool

Green-winged Teal: This bird was formerly split in December 2000 and given full specific status by the British Ornithologists' Union's Records Committee. 

It doesn't really seem that long ago. 

The green-winged teal is the American counterpart of our own Eurasian teal and the drake's are identified by an obvious vertical white stripe at the front of the flanks which Eurasian Teal does not. This remains the single most striking feature to look out for when scanning through a flock of Eurasian teal.

Disappointingly I witnessed a photographer enter the farmers field and approach bird. The bird was subsequently flushed along with all the other birds and he even disturbed a pair of lapwing which were going mad, before he spotted me scoping from the lay-by and hurried away back to his car. 

29/02/2015 Leighton Moss RSPB

Green-winged Teal: Great to catch up with this years first American counterpart of the Eurasian Teal.

Mainly identifiable by its very obvious vertical strip at the front of its flanks - Eurasian Teal have a vertical stipe.

As usual as soon as I arrived the bird had moved from the Grizedale Hide where it had been showing a lot closer and over to Tim Jacksons Hide, a little further from my lens and in worse light!

Never the less it was great to pick the bird out amongst the many Eurasian Teal and add to the year list.

Shoveler: There where loads of other 'dross' as some other people would say - me however think a good drake GWT, Shoveler and 18 Snipe makes for a good morning out.

Wigeon: Not the American variety, but great to see at close quarters. But gain does an American Wigeon go down as 'dross' - not to me!