A WeBS Smew

It was a perfect morning for doing a WeBS count at Girton Pits this morning - crisp, blue skies, and barely a breathe of wind. Unfortunately, a bit of activity on the Sailing Lake was disturbing the wildfowl, but I nevertheless located a redhead Smew - my first here for several years; it subsequently moved to the A1133 Pit. It seems to be a relatively good winter for this species in Notts.

Redhead Smew

Overall duck numbers were good, if unspectacular, with 464 Tufted Ducks taking top billing; next best were 210 Wigeon, 195 Coot and a notable 107 Gadwall, the latter beating the Mallard count of 105. Single Snipe and Redshank provided a little wader interest, and there was a single Shelduck on Spalford Pit. 7 Bullfinches and a Grey Wag were the only notable passerines.