It was certainly a first for me! Blue winged teal at Junction pool screen today at midday doing exactly what it says in the book; associating with shovelers. Consensus from the birding crowd was that it was an adult female. According to BTO the last record of these American birds turning up in the area was in 1992. Photo hopefully to follow shortly.
Mainly large numbers of Black-tailed godwits on Suttons marsh with a few wigeon, teal, lapwing and pink-footed geese showing on today's WeBS count (wetland bird survey). A nice merlin added to the views by putting all the godwits up. Apparently it was raining snipe over on Rimmers marsh with 200 plus counted.