23rd November

I awoke expecting clear skies, that was according to yesterdays forecast for today. Unfortunately I was greeted with a misty murky sky. The only good thing to come from it was a drake Pintail.

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Drake 1st winter Pintail in the murk. It was flushed from area 36 and instead of flying off circled the area several times before dropping down on to the main lake. You can tell that it is a 1st winter due to the lack of long central tail feathers, short scapulars, drab two toned bill. If you compare it to the photos below of an adult from the collection. Pintails do not breed in the SE especially in the London area.

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The pair of European Wigeon are still present, mainly on the main lake, though still hopping over the bridge and feeding in area 36.

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