I've been aware there was one at Longham, for quite a while, but I've finally seen it for myself and very happy I am too :)
Scaup
The Scaup is one of Britain's rarest breeding ducks. It's extremely similar to the Tufted Duck but is larger, with a slightly steeper head. The female also has distinctive patches around the bill. Although it's typically at home on estuaries, it's also found on some larger lakes, with Longham obviously falling into that category.
Here's the duck in question. The weather wasn't the best, but you can clearly make it out.
And another shot, slightly closer.
Otherwise it was a pretty quiet trip to Longham, although my daughter did see a few new birds, including Pochard, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Great Creasted Grebe and the Scaup.
There were plenty of Pochard on the lakes.
Cormorants were plentiful on the island.
A group of Canada Geese flew overhead.
Some Shovelers flew by.
As did a Tufted Duck.
We spied a Stonechat.
And a Reed Bunting.
I'd spent the previous weekend at both Hatch Pond and Canford Heath in the hope of seeing Bitterns or Dartford Warblers. Sadly, I didn't see either, but I still managed to see some nice birds.
Some Snipe were hiding on the far side of Hatch Pond.
Really pleased with this Little Egret shot.
A family of Mute Swans are still on Hatch Pond.
Long Tailed Tits were in the trees.
Great Crested Grebes looked like they were displaying.
Coots were in abundance.
And so were Cormorants.
There were plenty of Stonechats at Canford Heath.
Robins were singing everywhere.
And Blackbirds were very active too.
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