Trip reports

Wraysbury

Sunday, 21 January 2007

Wraysbury has a reputation for it's good chance of finding smew and goosander, both of which have been seen on previous years visits to this beautiful location. ( However, be warned, it is a little noisy due to the proximity to the M25 and Heathrow airport). We were a little worried that the recent bad weather would make the terrain difficult underfoot. Wraysbury didn't disappoint on this point, with the paths coated in slippery mud and numerous fallen trees and branches after the recent gales. In some locations the path was only passable after fallen branches were enthusiastically cleared by more energetic members of the party. We managed to all stay on our feet and nobody got wet thanks to fine sunny weather. We were treated to winter thrushes, redwings and a large flock of fieldfares. On the lakes were goosander, pintail, goldeneye, gadwall, tufted duck, pochard, shoveler, canada goose, great crested grebe, llttle grebe and mallard. Alas, no sightings of the smew that were definitely present prior to the Christmas break. Also seen on the circuit were song thrush, cormorant, common gull, lapwing, blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, ring-necked parakeet and a wintering chiffchaff. Some of the party were also lucky enough to see a peregrine falcon fly over. In total 40 species were recorded.