A Green-winged Teal at Grafham Water

28th November 2023

A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Grafham Water on the 5th November and is still present today so time for a visit to this wonderful Cambridgeshire reservoir. We parked at the Marlow car park although the teal was at the south end of the dam, but first a quick check of the waters by the car park.

Just as well we did because the first bird I saw was a juvenile/female Goosander just off-shore which produced a couple shots despite the tricky light.

Further along the dam was a large flock of Tufties, and just beyond them a cracking male Goldeneye.

We have now reached the south end of the dam and the muddy beach where the Teal have gathered. There was also a lone Redshank which was the only wader we saw along the whole dam.

It took some time to find the Green-winged Teal amongst all the Eurasians, presumably because it was facing the water and therefore had its back to us. But then it appeared right in front of us with its characteristic white stripe down the side of its breast.

And finally a comparison with a Eurasian Teal.