There was a Smew at Lunt Meadows! A gorgeous little chap, but I’m afraid there have been a lot better photos of him taken over the weekend than I managed.

When I arrived, he was hiding in the reeds with a drake Goosander occasionally sticking a bit of white plumage out to wind up the assembled throng. Soon, however, he was in the air, moving to a part of the reserve where we could get close views, but with vegetation in front.

Then he was back to the main pool, clearly visible but distant, and with his head under his wing. Finally it was time for lunch and I learned that Smew is one of the diving ducks that really does spend more time under water than above when fishing.