6th January
The Scaup was still present today (Ian Lewis). Otherwise it is quiet birdwise, with small numbers of all the usual wildfowl. A visiting birder saw the year’s first Bullfinch, the Stonechat remains and there was a Chiffchaff among one of the local Long-tailed Tit flocks (I think there are three flocks in all). Also a Kingfisher flew along the west side of the site, near the Stour. The site year-list is now 60 species.
Incidentally, before the New Year there was a flock of Canada and Greylag Geese frequenting the fields to the west of the site boundary, but over the last few days only Mute Swans have been feeding here. Were the geese shot last Saturday (see 3rd)?
In other news, a jogger has reported seeing a Bald Eagle beside Longham Lakes, apparently perched near the Study Centre car park, and reported it to the Daily Echo. Presumably, the same jogger would see Guillemots on the beach and decide they were penguins – but you never know.
4th January
George Green had a look at the Scaup in proper light and reckons it is a first-winter female. The bill shape and colour (with small black nail) fits Scaup OK.
In the picture, it is the farthest right, lowest down.
Presumed first-winter female Scaup, Longham Lakes, Dorset, 3/1/15
3rd January
There was a shoot over Hampreston Fields and the other farmland today, which caused great disturbance to the birds and no little irritation to visiting birders. The only consolation was the fact that a Scaup has turned up among the large flock of Tufted Ducks and Pochards on Longham Reservoir North. At least, it looks like a Scaup. In fading light it looked a little small and the white half-moon at the bill-base is stained brownish, suggesting perhaps it could have some other diving duck blood in it (Dominic Couzens).