Green-winged Teal

I chose not to call at Kilvington on the way into work today as I had too much to get done in advance of a nice 4 day weekend. This proved to be a mistake, as a Green-winged Teal was then discovered there this morning! This was followed by negative news later in the morning.

However, it was still present when I called in on the way home early this evening - I think it had been hiding at the back of the spit on the West Lake. It showed well, albeit in very dull conditions (hence the rubbish photos), and seemed to be associating with a female Teal; she followed him around, seemingly not interested in the 2 male Eurasian Teal, and also doing an odd sideways swim towards him at one point like she was trying to illicit a response. He displayed to her, and the other female Teal present, but seemed subordinate to the 2 male Eurasian Teal, swimming off when challenged by either of them.



Green-winged Teal asleep on the spit on West Lake at Kilvington Lakes



Green-winged Teal with Eurasian Teal at Kilvington Lakes

Green-winged Teal displaying at Kilvington Lakes

Green-winged Teal with Eurasian Teal at Kilvington Lakes

I think this is about the 12th record for the county, and the second for Kilvington Lakes - one stayed for 4 days here last year (during which time I failed to see it). I was fortunate enough to find the 7th county record back in 2004 at Langford Lowfields; what was almost certainly the same bird returned to the site in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and I also located it at Girton Pits in 2005 and 2006 and at Collingham Pits in 2007.

Also present at Kilvington this evening were 5 Dunlin, 1 Common Sand and 5 Yellow Wags, but there was no sign of the Barwit which had been reported earlier today and yesterday.