6 February 2022 - Nottinghamshire

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Hawfinches, Ring-necked Duck, Goshawk, American Wigeon, Smew, Great White Egrets, Siskins, Bramblings

A great day out with Andrew and Simon today based around the northern part of Notts. The weather was cold and windy with the odd shower, but occasional bouts of sunshine.

We started at Rufford Country Park, where we had good views of up to 6 Hawfinches, perching in the tops of trees, then flying down to a patch of Yews where although closer, they became harder to see. Also here were Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker (and a Peregrine that I missed!).

We moved on to Carburton Forge Dam to land straight onto the female Ring-necked Duck, feeding with Tufted Ducks. As we watched this, there were a number of Buzzards in the air in the distance, and amongst these we picked out a Goshawk, which disappeared shortly afterwards, but later re-appeared (or another one), and briefly came closer and overhead. A pair of Mandarin Duck flew across in front of us just before we left.

Next stop was Idle Valley Nature Reserve, which has a good number of flashes, and where there had been an American Wigeon. It took us a little while to find the right spot, but eventually we managed great views in the sunshine. Carrying on along the tracks, we came to another water body with a good selection of water birds, including Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Goosander, Pochard as well as up to 3 Great White Egrets and at least one Little Egret. At the back of this pool were two redhead Smew, our target species for this spot, and although distant, gave good scope views.

After some lunch we decided to head back, to see if we could find a Water Pipit at Fleet Lane Sewage works, part of the Swillington Ings recording area. Not long after setting off, we stopped at a small roadside carpark overlooking a pool. In the larches there were around 20 or so Siskin, feeding happily and posing for photos. A few Goosander were on the water but not too much else. Setting off again we were just getting into the Clumber Park area when we noticed a large group of finches flying around at the side of the road. Screeching to a halt, it was soon evident that these appeared to be all Bramblings, and we watched and photographed them for a while as they flew round, landing in the tops of various roadside trees.

Our last stop was Fleet Lane, were despite searching we couldn't find any Water Pipits. Lots of Pied Wagtails, a few Grey Wagtails, two or three Meadow pipits and a couple of Pheasants were on the sewage beds, and in the bushes and trees around the edge we encountered half a dozen or so Goldcrests and a Treecreeper.

Hawfinch, 1/500 sec. f/5.6, ISO 3200, 220 mm