Took Jacob out this morning and decided to have a look at Standlake Gravel Pits for a hard weather diver, grebe, Smew, Merganser or Goosander. It was my first time to the area and luckily bumped into Mike Cunningham. As we were chatting five geese came in relatively high from the east. I fired off a few shots and back of the camera analysis looked like they were Pink-foots from the under-exposed images. Got back to the lap top and immediately could see the contrasting silvery upperwings that ruled out Bean Goose- so Pink-foots it was! I've been looking for Pink-foots all week at Beddington so getting them over Oxfordshire was great. Always wanted to see hard weather Pink-foots.
A few other bits on the pits I looked at (the area is a bit of maze). Had about 15 Red-crested Pochard which have a feral population in the area, 2 Oystercatcher and 4 Goldeneye.
Hoping to get some more time to check out the rest of the area soon.
Pink-footed Geese over Standlake Gravel Pits
Red-crested Pochards
Oystercatchers
Two male and one female Goldeneye (above) and male from below (below)
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