The undoubted highlight of the autumn and possibly even, my entire local birding year occurred on the afternoon of Thursday 07/11, with the discovery of two 1st-winter Velvet Scoters at Grimsbury Res - simply an incredible patch bird!
It was all a bit stressful, but thankfully made it from my office in Bicester just in time to see them in the last bit of light and super close too! First thing the next day, I managed to get back there and was able to enjoy some fantastic views in marginally better light, with fellow patcher Gareth B!
They amazingly went on to stay for just shy of 2 weeks, often allowing some brilliant views - particularly on 14/11, where they fed at really close quarters in bright sunshine! A nice surprise to have further opportunities to enjoy them, following a few days in Devon.
Other than Mallard and Tufted Duck, no other duck species are ever guartenteed. But this period was pretty good for variety with, as well as the Scoter, up to 5 Shoveler and several Wigeon sightings, while others had Common Scoter & Goldeneye (both scarce), Teal, Gadwall and Pochard. I added the Snow Goose, to my Grimbo escapes and ferals list and finally encountered my first Lapwing and Redpoll on patch this year, bringing up 100 species for the 9th year in a row!
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