Lesser scaup Freiston

Paul Sullivan · **Posted:** Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:31 pm

A drake on the lagoon 12:00 also the smew still
Paul

John Badley · **Posted:** Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:17 am

Great find Paul.

But this bird was NOT seen again, at 4pm by me (or later by SK/PH). However we all looked from the car park/hide area, so there is a chance it was hidden around the back of the lagoon, or could have moved to the reservoir where there were 15 tufties and the Red-crested Pochard from Frampton yesterday.

Hopefully someone can relocate it. Missing this and the White-tailed Eagle on the reserves on the same day isn't fair!

John

John Badley · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 1:56 pm

Hi,

The lesser scaup is back. Currently showing very well (down to 30m) from the hide. As suspected it is a 2nd calendar year male. Also redhead smew on the lagoon.

Cheers,

John

John Badley · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 2:21 pm

Looks identical to the bird seen at Ogston Reservoir, Derbyshire on 16/03/13.

John

John Badley · **Posted:** Sat Mar 23, 2013 11:28 am

Andrew Chick reports it still present this morning on one of the wet grassland ditches between the lagoon and the reservoir. Presumably this is where it was between Tuesday and Friday when it went missing.

John

Daniel Newton · **Posted:** Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:26 pm

I think it must have been Andrew who marched all of the way back to the lagoon hide to inform us that he had picked up the Lesser Scaup in the drain this morning. Considering the howling blizzard and near Baltic wind-chill, it was an act of Shackleton-esque heroics! Very much appreciated.

For the record, the female Smew was still showing well on the lagoon today too.

Andrew Chick · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:22 am

Yes, that was me.... the treatment for frost-bite is going well!!!!

My second Lesser Scaup for Lincolnshire, BUT at least this one wasn’t tethered to the bank with discarded fishing tackle!

This map will hopefully be useful to anyone wishing to see the bird, which is clearly mobile but as John suggested has probably been onsite since last Tuesday....

Phil Hyde · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:32 pm

The Lesser Scaup was on the far side of the lagoon until 11.00 this morning at least, cowering in the lee of the bank along with most of the other wildfowl. The easterly wind was enough to remove flesh from bones again, things can only get better !

Phil

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:50 pm

Going this afternoon - whereabouts is the best vantage point? The concrete path from the car park to the reservoir, or from the new wetland viewing platform near the bird hide?

Roy Harvey · **Joined:** Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:23 pm **Posts:** 956

Katherine

I suggest you go to the hide as the Lesser Scaup has apparently been on the main lagoon this morning.
It is likely to be mixed in with a lot of Tufted Ducks.

Roy

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 2:12 pm

Roy Harvey wrote:

Katherine

I suggest you go to the hide as the Lesser Scaup has apparently been on the main lagoon this morning.
It is likely to be mixed in with a lot of Tufted Ducks.

Roy

I was up to 3:00 last night drilling the Lesser Scaup-compared-with-Tufted-and-Greater-Scaup ID into my head!!! Going to attempt to find it myself rather than have another person show me!

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:41 pm

Still on the lagoon this chilly afternoon with the redhead Smew!

Lesser Scaup = Lifer 216, Patch Lifer and Year Tick.

Redhead Smew = Patch First and Year tick

In addition, circa 15 Avocet, 1 Redshank and 10 or so Goldeneye.

Kestrel hunting over farm fields near Willows Lane seen on my way to my gran's for a very welcome cuppa! Prevailing winds blowing straight into your face in the bird hide!

Phil Hyde · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:58 pm

Lesser Scaup still present this lunchtime up to 12.30 at least. Also RH Smew. No let up in the flesh-shredding easterly,

Phil

Chris Grimshaw · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:11 pm

The scaup had drifted into the far left corner (looking from the hide). I saw no sign of the smew. About 200 golden plover at Blankney Fen on the way. Birdwatching from a car - lovely after that bone chilling wind at Frieston which took your breathe away

David Cohen · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:11 pm

Lesser Scaup feeding actively on the far side of the main lagoon to the right of the hide from 2.15 to 3.00 p.m. Redhead Smew to the left of the hide, drake Pintail and 9 Avocets also of note.

Cheers,

David Cohen

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Lesser scaup Freiston

Who is online