Soddy

Part of the main pond at Soddy Gap

First of all may I wish every one out there a belated Happy New Year and many of them!!.

A beautiful morning this morning with quite a frost, but the sun was shinning and so decided not to wast it.

I noticed on Bird Guides that the Long Tail Duck was still at Soddy so thought I would give it a go, as can be seen from my last post (a long time ago) I was heading to see it when I got diverted. On arrival at Soddy I scanned the main pool but no sign, but there was a good showing of Goosanders.

Male & female Goosanders, just a few of at least 60+

There was also quite a few Teal about and Wigeon, and I counted 5 Snipe

I also found a female Goldeneye and good numbers of Tufted. There was also a large flock of Canada & Greylag Geese mixed, they later moved on to a nearby field to graze.
       I moved on to the first of the two smaller pools and bingo one female Long-tailed Duck. I had just got my scope and camera set up and squeezed a shot off when it and the 2 tufties it was swimming with got spooked by dogs and took off.

I tried to relocate it but couldn't find it anywhere, so the one poor shot is all I got.

Just a small portion of the flock of geese

There is always at least one on guard.

I started to head back home about 1-30 and as I got near to Penrith I ran into thick mist so I had seen the best of the day as regards the weather.