Ring-Necked Duck at Eyebrook Reservoir

Brian went to Twickenham to see 15 battered Kiwis, so Jimmy & I had to plan a trip without him,we decide to head to Leicestershire for the Ring-Necked Duck that has already been seen by Brian last week.
We set out at 6 'oclock & drive the 100 miles & arrive about 8 o'clock, we are on the Island side when we arrive & need to drive round to the Plantation side.
We jump the gate & walk down & start to scan the water, groups of Tuffed Duck are every where,we stop at each clearing to scan, I walk a bit away from Jimmy to give us more chance of spotting the Duck, as soon as I go the call comes got it from Jimmy, back as quick as I could & get great views in the scope, it's easy to see once you get on to it amongst the Tuffed, this is another lifer for me & 249 so far for the year.it is Jimmy's 250th not a bad bird to see for him to reach that target.
As we over look the water we see plenty of Goldeneye,
then a female Goosander is seen,a Smew is reported here ,but we don't see it.
A nice place here & I think another vist soon.

on the left Ring-Necked Duck



Ringed-Necked Duck



Goosander



Off now to find Fermyn woods & country park that a fellow birder told us about, he says we might see Hawfinch,so being as we both need this for a tick having

Over looking the Reservoir

 missed it early in the year, off we go it's about 13 miles away so not bad.we find the park pay the £2.50 to park all day & set off to walk the woods.The first thing we see is a nice couple of Red Kite flying right above our heads.Next up is a Common Buzzard,as we walk we see many Fieldfare,also Redwing,then 3 more Red Kite pop up.the Warden has told us a Hawfinch has been seen today, but after a couple of hours we have to give up to head home without seeing any.

A really nice place to see plenty of birds and in a pleasant surroundings's, I am sure we will vist here with Brian some time soon.





Red Kite

  

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