SMEWS back in town

Following the arrival of some 5 SMEW into the county (3 at Amwell, pair at Stocker's), Steve Blake and I ventured over to STOCKER'S LAKE today to try and connect with one. I eventually located a single drake from the causeway, along with a flock of 11 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS and 11 Common Goldeneye (3 drakes). The site also yielded 42 Shoveler, 30 Pochard, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, 65 Lapwing, 12 Herring Gull, both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Song Thrush, Greenfinch and 2 Goldcrests

Elsewhere, little to speak of - covey of 6 Red-legged Partridge in Thrales End Lane, 22 Common Teal at East Hyde, Little Egret at Whitwell Cressbed...