Common Scoter

[ianball]

Get outside if you can now. Just read about Common Scoter migrating overhead. Just had two small groups over the garden calling, as well as Teal!
...and another group as a I type this!

Common Scoter takes me to 94.

[Neil Southworth]

Has this got anything to do with the date, Ian?

[ianball]

Check Bill Aspin's Twitter feed. Others have reported them too. It's after lunchtime as well. Loads on birdguides as well.
10.20pm update - Been quiet for last 25 minutes though - back inside now as my toes had gone numb.

[ianball]

Another group just going over now...

[Neville Root]

Was that one just now Ian (23.12)?

[ianball]

Back inside now, sorry. Check what you heard online but it's a 'quiet' sort of call. Very unlike anything I've heard before, definitely from the garden. The teal I heard earlier were much louder and recognisable.

[Neville Root]

It matched my Collins Bird Guide app flight call, but I would never guess it to have been a scoter. Not a definite for me.

[ianball]

The earlier birds were clearer and repeated the call. The group I had just before 11 were much quieter but I had got my ear in by then.

[Leonard Poxon]

Been out listening for them on and off for last half hour, just heard some over Great Knowley (a drawn out 'peep' sound) they seem to be heading north east, but only sounded like a small flock.

Common Scoter takes me to 99 (due to miscount).

[Neville Root]

Again at 11.22pm, clearer this time, very subdued as you say.

[ianball]

Nice one

[Neville Root]

Looks like Len's heard them too, must be the same one's

[Leonard Poxon]

The time stamp on our posts is out by an hour!!

[Neville Root]

Are the times out? I put the times in the text so they should be right. That was an educational half hour for me, thx for (literally) the heads up Ian. Can you put the real-time stuff on WhatsApp in future, gets a quicker response.

[John Frankland]

Heard some Scoter myself but as I’m in Leyland, can’t add them to my total ! Also a distant Tawny Owl towards Worden Park.

I know it’s out of area but it was nice to see a pair of Little Grebe on the Worden Park duck pond this week with Coot and Moorhen. After years of neglect, some money has been spent improving the pond and its paying off.