Smew

Locko Park is somewhere I had never even heard of let alone visited, but when I received a message to say "early start to Derbyshire, Drake Smew" the invitation was on, no more questions asked.

I have only ever seen the female Smew (known as a Redhead) before now, the male is something else. Although its only in the next county it was a bit of a trek, early start needed as I had work later that day.

We arrived, parked up outside the park entrance and made the very short walk through the grounds to the pool, where with a few seconds we were on it, although initially it stayed a little distant. Within an hour it had come to the southern end of the pool where the water is at its narrowest point and stared to give some stunning views.  It never came near enough for more than these record shots but what a belter the 2hr non stop crippling views were outstanding

 

we left as the Twitchers began to arrive in more numbers. A life bird if not quite a life species, a wonderful location, a great mornings birding