When will this miserable wet weather end? It has been raining for ages and today was no different, but, despite the Iheaded out with a Yorkshire Coast Nature group into the LDV. First up, North Duff, with vast floods, peppered with ducks. I found the three drake Scaup, all of which are looking fairly smart now, among a loafing flock of Tudfties. Shortly, news came through from Tim Jones that a collossal flock of 300ish White-fronted Geese were in the field just down the path, behind Garganey Hide! We headed down there and sure enough, a carpet of dapper Whitefronts, along with two cute Barnacle Geese, were busy feeding in the field. This is the biggest flock I have ever seen in the UK, and with close views, we all enjoyed the treat. It seems a second wave has come in from the continent, which is a surprise as it isn't particularly cold over there, but the east wind has continued, which may have something to do with it.
We headed up the east side of the valley, but called off the tour by lunchtime due to the awful weather. I headed back down to Duff for another look at the geese and to get out of the rain. They eyed me warily as I crept along the path, but soon settled down to feed once I'd stopped to look. There were good numbers of first-winters in the flock, lacking the white forehead blaze and black belly stripes, contrasting with some old adults, with extensive black bellies- see last pic. Having made sure there were no Greenland Whitefronts or Lesser Whitefronts lurking among them, I went down to the hide to escape the rain and scoff my lunch.
Scanning the flood which was being whipped up by the blustery wind into something resembling the North Sea, I was amazed to find a Slavonian Grebe. Not what I'd expected at all. It was distant and hanging out with the Scaup - maybe it recognised them from its usual maritime winter home. I watched it for the next hour as it swam first to one side of the flood and then back to the other. Fortunately, despite the chop and the distance, it was easy to follow as it rarely dived. Meanwhile, the Whitefronts flew over the hide and landed in the northeast corner of the ings. At one point, the Slav swam into the bay in front of them, giving a slightly unique combo in the York area; this was sublime for such a dreary wet day!
On a roll, I felt I should check out Castle Howard. The rain was even heavier as I walked along the lake and I did question my sanity for being out birding. I soon found two Shags, the white-ringed adult (JTN) and a first-winter, roosting with about 20 Cormorants on the island. The female Red-crested Pochard and 33 Goldeneyes were the only other birds of note. Not a bad day considering the dreadful weather.
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