Arrivals at last

Finally had the birding gods on our side for a change when on our arrival at Draycote Water this morning a Short-eared Owl flew over the entrance low heading east. Doubled back and searched the southam rd fields but no luck. Light was still poor when we returned to draycote and set out for our walk to farborough spit realising that there were still thousands of gulls present and scanning the reservoir constantly as visibility improved we managed an adult Caspian Gull, 5 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and at least 800 Greater Black-backed Gulls which is a reasonable number for here. Long distant views from the spit produced 22 Goosander so some were missed and 4 Gadwall but another surprise awaited us with a male Smew located as we returned not too far out but remained asleep. It was the same with the female Common Scoter by the pontoons who also refused to show herself. At least 20 Meadow Pipits noted. Very little at Wormleighton with Marsh Tit Raven and 13 Moorhen under the feeders.