Scanning for the green-winged
teal from the patio this morning, I was rather surprised
to see this!
Yes indeedy, a female long-tailed
duck no less, and a full fat patch tick! One that has
occurred on patch in days of yore but not very often. Long-tailed
ducks used to be reasonably regular at certain sites in
east Cork but seem to have become a fair bit scarcer in recent years. This is
only my second for the county, and possibly Ireland, as I can't recall seeing
any elsewhere, the tart that I am!
Anyway, it was a most welcome
addition to the patch list, now standing at 193. Good early bonus for the year
too! The male green-winged teal remains
on the lake also.
