News of a drake Falcated Duck at Tring of unknown origin prompteda flexi-day and my first trip to this famous reserve. After getting rather lost, I found Wilstone Reservoir, a large concrete basin, fringed on one side by reeds. The Falcated Duck had come in with Wigeon a few days earlier. It was quickly located dabbling at the edge of the reedbed. A really smart-looking duck, fully-winged and unringed, it departed the next day, again with Wigeon. The duck was easy to pick up, even at a distance, due to its dark head, pale mantle and dark grey sides. After ten minutes, the heavens opened so I walked to the other end of thr reservoir to the hide, where I found a Little Egret. I could still see the Falcated Duck in the distance. On the way back I picked up a corking, though slightly mad-looking drake Red-crested Pochard. I noted how the black nape extends up the back of the rear-crown. Next, I drove to Milton Keynes for an expedition to the various lakes, ending with Brogborough Lake near Bedford for the gull roost, though nothing of note came in by dark.
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