It wasn't a great start as I turned the alarm off at 06.30am and promptly went back to sleep, only to wake up 30 mins later cursing. Still, I was on the road by 07:30 and around an hour later I was on the car park. I grabbed my gear together and headed off for the Lower Hide where the bird was last reported from. The walk down was pretty quiet; there was the usual gaggle of 'togs' at the grit trays, hogging the best viewing spot - I don't think they've moved since I was last here in spring. They really should think about moving as I heard several Bearded Tits 'pinging' close to the path on the way up to the hide, and I'm pretty sure if I'd spent five more minutes looking I'd have seen them. But, I was on a mission so, made a mental note to take my time on the way back.
When I arrived at Lower Hide I was the only person in there. A quick look out of the windows provided a potential reason for that. The pool was covered in mist and viewing was down to perhaps 50m max. So it was a case of sitting and waiting. A few other birders came and went and slowly the mist cleared. When it cleared enough to see the back of the pool there was only me in the hide, so I had the joy of finding, and enjoying, the American Wigeon on my own. It really stood out more than I expected - the creamy-buff forehead was like a beacon in the gloom left behind after the mist. Eventually it showed really well, and a few more birders turned up to enjoy it too.
The view from Lower Hide just as the American Wigeon decided to show. The Wigeon is in this photograph - If I could work out how to put an arrow on I'd point it out!
Other entertainment was provided by a showy Water Rail and a few fleeting glimpses of a Bearded Tit. It was also nice to see lots of Pintail too, probably more than I've seen here ever before I think. Sadly the weather and the distances involved meant that photographs with the DSLR were pretty much impossible, and phonescoping was out of the question because I forgot to take my hide clamp!!
I had a quick mooch from the causeway hide on the way back and ticked off the Great White Egret, and was surprised to see at least three stoats crossing the path. The gaggle of photographers were still at the grit trays, some three hours later. They have patience I'll give them that. Two more Great White Egrets were on show at Lillian's Hide, along with another Water Rail, Little Egrets for comparison with their larger relatives, plus another shed-full of Teal, Eurasian Wigeon and Pintail. It was also getting rather busy so I decided to leave.
On the way out I checked out the Optics stand that the RSPB had put on for a few hours. The new Leica Noctivid were there and I couldn't resist a look. If I can work out a way of acquiring a pair without the Mrs murdering me I think I might be tempted - they are very, very good.
I was back home by 13.00 and after a bite to eat I took the dog round the local patch which was pretty quiet. Half a dozen snipe over and a few thrushes pretty much summed it up. I am convinced that one day I will find a real good rarity though.
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