Quality Patch Duck (29th May)

I had just got back to the flat after a day out with Ephraim when a report came through of a drake Garganey down at Swanpool!  Being a county tick and a nice bird to boot, my brother, Marcus and I (as well as Richard, who we bumped into on site) quickly rushed down to Swanpool and by 7:30ish we were enjoying good views of a stunning drake GARGANEY!  It hung around the northern end of the pool, showing rather well before it started swimming purposefully towards the center then back to the southern end.  It even went on a brief flight circuit around the pool with a group of Mallards but thankfully returned, despite a little bullying from them, before finally going to roost at 9pm.  A flyover Peregrine was a nice surprise and it was reassuring to see all 4 Mute Swan cygnets still in good health.

drake Garganey at the north end of Swanpool

occasionally getting harried by the local Mallards