Tale of Serin & a Sat Nav

Serin

Yet another strange place for a twitch

Serin

RSPB Fen Drayton

RSPB Fen Drayton

Rutland Water - North Arm

Paul scoping at Eyebrook

Little Egret

Slavonian Grebe

I must admit the idea of going to RSPB Fen Drayton to see two Serin didn't inspire me as my only previous visit was a disaster resulting in dipping a Baikal Teal. However Dave J had called me and said it was a pretty easy journey (even easier with Paul picking me up) and the birds were showing well.

The journey took just over two hours and some poor navigating out of the car park took us the wrong way however we did find some large flocks of wintering Wigeon. Once back on track we found a group of birders heading towards us saying the Serin had flown in our direction. There was no sign for about an hour until I scoped the birds feeding about 200 yards to me left on the busway weeds between Elney & Oxholme lakes. The downside was Paul had nipped to the card to pick up his mittens for his little hands. Once he saw all the birders were on the birds he sprinted back to his scope, showing exceptional pace considering he was carrying a dodgy foot. Serin sightings tend to only on passage however it is thought there has been irregular breeding.  We then decided to take a walk round the reserve but as we approached the turn we picked up both Serin again by a much smaller pool where I managed to get a few record shots. Other sightings included numerous Goldeneye, two Egyptian Goose, three Marsh Harrier, Goldfinch,  Great Black-backed Gull B, Bullfinches, Cetti's Warbler and many Redwings. 

Leaving we opted to head to Draycote however the SatNav took us to within 8 miles of Rutland Water ! Blame the programmer ! Given we were so close I thought I'd show Paul the best spot to view the North Arm and it proved very rewarding as I found two Black-necked Grebes straight in front of us. It was my only second time of seeing this species, so we were very pleased. Additional highlights included three Goosander, two Barnacle Goose, huge flock of Wigeon, 50+ Common Gull, Great Crested Grebes, a Redshank, three Egyptian Goose, 50+Teal, Pochard and many Goldeneye.

Given our location it would be rude not to call in at Eyebrook Reservoir. When scoping the large numbers of waterfowl including Goldeneye and Wigeon we picked out a stonking drake Smew. A Little Egret fed very close to us but didn't seem to take any notice of us. Our great birding day finished with some superb views of a Slavonian Grebe as we headed back round the reservoir.