A Mixed Bag

Report. R.Lane. 10th December 2010



"A touch of the sameness about today's report. Despite meeting Andrew, Mark and Ian at the Pool this afternoon, none of us had been far out within the patch. Ian had probably the best tally, most of the goodies from his house window ! However, here's what I can remember: at St.Andrews Pond the Goosander was still present, with the pair of Tufted Ducks still. The shoveler had apparently flown off earlier this morning but the regular Comm.Gull was still present.
At Par Pool duck were down in number (due to 5degsC rise in temp ?). However those seen included 10+ Teal; 2 x Gadwall (fems) and the pair of Goldeneye. Some 24 x Curlew overflew the Pool at dusk, and 6,000+ went to roost well east of the Pool.
Ian had scanned Par Bay from his house earlier and saw at least 7 x GCGrebes and (I believe) 5 x Slavonian Grebes, also 5 x Comm.Eider Duck (4 fems and an imm, male.). Not bad from a house window !
Also a Green Woodpecker later when out. Several Green W' Peckers have been seen lately Are they moving closer to the coast to feed in softer ground I wonder? Sorry for those I've forgotten, and thanks to Andrew for correcting my "2 x Brent Geese" yesterday, which were indeed both Barnacle Geese !"

Thanks for the report Roger.

Things are hotting up now and a lot of reports are coming in. Thanks to everyone.