Cold and wet on the monthly WeBS count this morning with my 2 sections (Leri and Ynyslas) quiet as the tide was too high. A quick look on finishing at Ynyslas turn for the scoter flock but the conditions were not good there either. A suprise though was a dark-bellied brent goose flying north followed by 3 male pochard flying north.
On returning to the RSPB reserve I received a phone call from Mike Shrubb. Sheila Kelly went to look for the surf scoter yesterday and to her suprise saw two, an imm. drake and a female, both side by side, the drake showing some colouration on the bill. This may be the reason that there has been some confusion regarding the sex of the bird with some seeing the imm. drake and others the female. If the sea calms down a bit then I will pop out one lunchtime for a look.