From Dean Maiden:
This morning, two decent size flocks of wigeon, 80+ birds. One up river from me, mainly resting on bank. The other down river mainly in the water. On scanning through the flock with my scope, one odd duck that stood out. White cheek patches just above bill with dark back and lighter greyer sides. Only match I could make was an ‘Aythya’ hybrid, Scaup x Tufted Duck. A flock of 75 Shelduck upriver. Small number of Dunlin, Teal, Redshank and more Oystercatchers. What made me smile was a pair of Shoveler that turned up in the middle of the river. Whilst watching them through the scope I nearly missed a Marsh Harrier which I caught the back of drifting down river at the edge of the water before it headed inland to my left. A pleasant morning out.