Following reports of a female Goosander on the lake at Footscray Meadows I set off last Friday to see if I could catch up with this duck which is rarely seen in this part of London. The weather forecast said it would be dry up to lunchtime but wet in the afternoon. Unfortunately it was wrong and by the time I arrived at the meadows it was raining heavily.
Crossing the Meadows I made my way to the River Cray. There was little activity except for some Crows and Magpies.
From here I turned downriver towards the Lake. There is usually quite a bit of small bird activity in the bushes alongside the river, but, apart from a couple of Wrens, today they were taking the smart option and staying well hidden from the rain.
I stopped at the Five arch bridge to survey the top end of the lake. The usual occupants were there: Mute swan, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard plus 2 Gadwall and a Little Grebe, but no sign of a Goosander. I then followed the lakeside so I could check out the other end of the lake, but, apart from a Cormorant and a couple of Egyptian Geese, no further species were seen.
By now I was thoroughly wet and I was finding it difficult to keep the lenses on my binoculars dry I decided to call it a day and head home. I did add a Eurasian Jay to my list as I waited for the bus. The Goosander was seen again in the afternoon and was still there at the weekend.
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