More Local Waxwing

Went to North Duffield Ings this morning, and Bubwith Ings too.  North Duffield Ings was stacked out with waders and there was a load of ducks about too.

Highlights included:

Lapwing: 1520
Golden Plover: 131
Redshank: 36 (roosting on river)
Ruff: 34
Dunlin: 34
Curlew: 1
Snipe: 1

Wigeon: 911
Teal: 740
Pochard: 96
Tufted Duck: 4
Shoveler: 2
Shelduck: 3
Pintail: 2

There was also a flock of 20 Tree Sparrow, with a couple of Reed Bunting heard.

I decided to head north along the east side of the Lower Derwent Valley picking up Great Spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing, then a familiar silhouette in a roadside bush - Waxwing - at least 50 of them! Got a couple of pics (below) and watched them for 10+ minutes as they fed in some hedgerows, before I headed on to Rufforth Airfield where I hoped to connect with either the 1st winter Caspian Gull that Ollie and Chris had found in the morning, or the 2nd winter Iceland Gull that Tim had just found. Luck however was not on my side, as I approached the airfield a small gyrocopter thing flew low over the airfield and flushed pretty much everything! I waited around for over 2 hours but nothing! Nevermind, there's always tomorrow! Got some nice Goosander on the way home.

Waxwing © Andy Walker 2013

Waxwing © Andy Walker 2013

Waxwing © Andy Walker 2013

Waxwing © Andy Walker 2013

Waxwing © Andy Walker 2013