The Siddick Smew

A quick trip out to Siddick Pond, Workington, to see the female Smew that has been hanging around for a while. Numbers of this winter visitor have declined recently, so it was nice to see.  Smew usually arrive in December and depart for northern Scandinavia and Russia by mid - March. The lay their eggs high up in holes in tree trunks and ducklings leap down to the ground at just a coupe of days old to make their way to water. 

There were lots of Goldeneye, Coot, Moorhen and Greylag geese - plus a pair of Chinese geese that have been there for over a year. It was also nice to hear the first Chiffchaff of the year - spring really must be on the way! .....oh and a good view of a Reed Bunting too. 

Female Smew.

Male and female Golden-eye.

Mute Swan activity.

Chinese Geese.