26/01/2023 Covenham Reservoir, Lincolnshire

Falcated Duck: After a great week in Lincs working alongside Gary Allwood counting lapwing and looking for geese we didn't expect to see this great little duck.  

The BOU accepted the falcated duck onto Category A of its British list in 2019, giving this an extra urgency to see, so Gary and I spared no gas and made it in time before the light faded. 

Falcated Ducks are native to China and Japan, breeding in Eastern and Central Siberia. They are highly migratory, and vagrants have occasionally reached Europe and even Britain, though escapes from captivity cannot be ruled out.

Kestrel: The duck showed well as it paddled the entire length of the reservoir associating with a large mixed flock which mainley included mallard, not the best bird for it to be hanging around with. 

There will be plenty of speculation, assertions and opinion about the ducks provenance, all I can do is hope.

Great Northern Diver: Another decent bird on the reservoir was this long staying GND that showed well along the western side, feeding close before diving and appearing further out win the water. 

02/02/2014 Parkgate

Kestrel: These hungry eyes were like hundreds of others fixed on the flooding marsh of Parkgate hoping to see something good!

Short Eared Owl: After a very successful FREE guided walk ran by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the regions largest local conservation charity it was great to get some closer views of SE Owls.

However, lady luck was not on my side as the bird just kept itself faced in to the wind which was blowing straight in my face.


Other highlights included a female Merlin, Ring Tail Hen Harrier, 3 Short Eared Owl, Fox and a very greedy Grey Heron stuffing its face with a Water Rail.