This morning I popped a couple of miles up the road to the River Severn at Bewdley. I decided to pop here to see the immature drake Smew that was found there yesterday by Craig Reed (http://www.midlandsbirder.blogspot.com/).
On arriving at the river I was greeted by good views of Kingfisher sitting in a bush near the Blackstone bridge and 17 Goosander flying down river. The river was almost completely frozen looking towards Blackstone but was free flowing going towards Bewdley. I managed to catch up with the Smew on the river near Bewdley School and it was a very showy bird. On the River I also saw another 2 Goosander, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Tutfed Ducks, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Mallards, a Canada Goose and a Grey Heron.
A Treecreeper was seen in the trees near Blackstone bridge and another was in the trees at the car park.
Smew - Bewdley, 27th December 2010:
What a stunner Jase, classic bird in winter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Pics Jase, a nice momento. Must have just missed you, I was on the southbank 10-11.20 ish. The Goldeneye were a first for me to( and very smart), the Dipper's would have been a 'new' life tick as not seen one for 30 years, but I missed them, still a great morning, worth the effort :)
ReplyDeleteThe Smew, it is nice that you had some photos of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks folks...Smews are stunning birds and well worth seeing if in the locality.
ReplyDeleteYes pity I missed you Mark. I didnt connect with the Dippers either.
Its great that the thaw has begun...I can finally risk driving over to the lanes at shenstone and doing a good patch walk!
Im glad you got the shots you were after jase, stunners, best ones i have seen of the bird....
ReplyDeleteand thanks for the mention :)
but unfortunatly it looks like the bird wont be around for new years :(
good while it lasted
MB
its a coincidence that i just logged onto birding today, and the smew is now at trimpley, and my albino mandarin has returned to the same place :)
ReplyDeleteMB
Thanks MB..and no probs about the mention, it was a great bird you found.
ReplyDeleteI saw that on Birding Today as well..It could be a new year tick after all! I still wan tto catch up with that albino Mandarin, so I may pop down to Trimpley early next week.