01-01-04 Location : Wimbleball Lake. Somerset. SS975317.
A friend informed me that the Long-tailed Duck was still at Wimbleball so we thought it was a great way to start the new year and headed over there. From Bessom Bridge car park I could see the difference the rain had on the water levels as it had risen a considerable amount. I walked onto the Bridge to look up the arm and was disappointed to see nothing at all. Looking over the main body of water, I could see 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Common Pochards, some Eurasian Coots, Mallards, 4 Eurasian Wigeon, 3 Eurasian Teal, several Black-headed Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull but no Long-tailed Duck. I felt really despondent at this. Overhead were high numbers of Carrion Crows and a single Common Raven. Back at the car I enjoyed a nice cup of coffee and discussed the next move which was onto the Boat Club. Before setting off I decided to have another look out the bays. This was a stroke of luck as I found the young drake Long-tailed Duck between Bessom Bridge and the Boat Club. It was on the bank, preening away. I marvelled at it's beautiful plumage but found it hard to describe. The white feathers draping off it's back were exquisite and the pink on the bill is something I have never seen on any other duck. This was one lifer I was really delighted to finally see. Nearby was a Meadow Pipit. We drove round nearer to the duck where I managed a few record shots of the bird before returning to Haddon Hill car park to venture down to the dam. As we walked down the track we spotted a Common Buzzard and a second Common Raven. From the dam wall I could see a single Goosander and 3 Little Grebes before spotting a huge flock of finches feeding on the row of alders. I ran closer to them and scoped them to see about 50+ Common Linnets. Looking at each one carefully I picked out a single European Goldfinch before calling out Lesser Redpoll twice. It was great to start the year with two Redpolls. I knew I would have to bring Padraig here soon. The final bird seen today was a Rook. The Long-tailed Duck was a brilliant way to start the year and will be remembered forever just like the Woodlarks at Exminster and the Bittern at Radipole.
Great to hear you've got Long-tailed Duck Andrew. Terrrific birds and that pink on the bill only really hits you in the field. Wait till you hear them call!