Pochard, not totally a winter migrant ......

........ because in excess of five hundred pairs do nest and breed in the United Kingdom, first noted in our Isles around 1800 A.D.

Most of the 85,000 plus migrants to the UK in winter come from Northern and Central Europe and central Russia.

Our maritime climate makes us a really attractive place to stay in winter for birds from their frozen home territories.

Certainly a bonus bird for the gravel pits at my local reserve.

From the Causeway at Pitsford .........

If I am in the vicinity of Pitsford Reservoir I often take a detour to the Causeway to see whats on view and have been rewarded with good images of many birds including Snipe, Goldeneye and a host of Gulls.

This Pochard was quite close in to the causeway and very active, constantly diving for food, always preceded with that little Jump.

Pochard usually feed at night and seem to spend a lot of time in daylight asleep, it was good to see an active bird during the day.