The GARGANEY was still present this morning, 1st Nov. along the far side to the right of the hide below the feeder. It was not seen in flight. Although a distant view I think it is a female due to its pale face, distinct pale supercillium and pale buff breast.
The scaup type thingy was also present but it looks to me like a hybrid. It had dirty-white under-tail coverts mottled with dark grey, fairly uniform light brown flanks with a warmer brown area to the rear. The back was dark greyish brown with at some angles paler grey feathers on the upper back. The breast was warm brown as was the head but with a paler forehead. The white areas either side of the bill base were a creamy-white. The eye was dark with no hint of yellow iris. The head shape was good for Greater Scaup in being rounded and slightly flattish on the crown and with no hint of a crest. The bill was broad and pale-blueish grey with an indistinct smudgy nail.It did little but sleep and popped its head up once and was on the water below the gate on the far bank to the right of the hide.
No sign of the Northern Pintail nor of the RND. Two male and one female Goldeneye present along with two Green Sandpipers, several hundred Wigeon and a gathering of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, etc. (Ken Earnshaw)
This is an account of the personal observations of Lee G R Evans (LGRE) in his home county of Buckinghamshire. It also hosts all sightings of interest within the county but only those considered authentic by the author. I am extremely grateful for any images of local birds as well as of any information relating to birds within the boundaries - contact me anytime on 07881 906629 or email LGREUK400@aol.com.