Dorney Lake Scoter

I thought it was about time I paid another visit to Dorney Lake.  An overcast morning and a movement of birds the previous day were encouraging.

I got to the start end and scanned the mown area near  the mound and soon came up with two female/juvenile Wheatears.  Off to a good start.  Quite a few Swallows flew over heading west at this point.

Wheatear - Rather distant on the far side of the return lake.
Two were present but surprisingly none anywhere else.

I decided to check the main lake as having both Common and Velvet Scoters there in 2016, although usually it just has Coot, Mallard and the odd Great Crested Grebe.  However, my luck was in and at the 500 metre marker point was a group of Coot along with a nice male Common Scoter.  It remained there into the afternoon at least when Kevin Holt saw it.

Common Scoter 

Showing it's typical profile

Pretty big webbed feet for diving.

The yellow on the bill really stood out.

Barnacle Goose - Asleep in among a large flock of Canada Geese.  Origin unknown.

A lot of geese were present (400+) but nothing much else of interest.  The Arboretum Lake and the bushes seemed to be devoid of birds!