After an awesome morning watching my first Ring-billed Gull (update to follow) and sifting through Common and Black-headed Gulls sat on the ice at Mirfield, Mick Turton and I headed to Wintersett Reservoir. Having never been to Wintersett I was pretty amazed by the place especially given the number of birds forced close in to the hides as a result of the encroaching ice. After hearing a few stories from Mick (including the time he found Yorkshires first Lesser Scaup) I was really warming to the place and was thinking to myself that I wouldn't mind returning with my watercolours.
This thought was soon a reinforced on the discovery of a Redhead Smew diving in amongst Goosander in front of the hide! It was a great end to the day and I couldn't take my eyes of her. Absolutely Beautiful!
By the way if anyone comes across a Gouache Tube by the name of GOOSANDER! Please let me know.......that colour is phenomenal especially against the ice.
