It is not often these days that the opportunity to photograph a new species come along - and not too far to drive either. A Canvasback, an American species of wildfowl had been reported at Abberton Reservoir, about  1 hour 20 minutes drive from me so a friend and I decided to have a go.

We found the bird on one of the causeways very quickly but early on when the sun was not in the right direction for good shots but we took some anyway.

That was when the fun started. There was a few other birders/photographers there, about equally split between those that said it was a Canvasback and others that said that it was a Pochard, the british version.

Having checked other photos after getting home, and with others that are far better birders than me, the balance is that these photos are of the Canvasback - if you disagree, let me know.

One surprise was an early returning female Goldeneye.

The Canvasback was still on the causeway so we left for lunch to return when the sun was better positioned. On the way to the reception, we called in at Billets farm. Nothing except these Spoonbills coming in to feed.

Returning to the causeway, at first we though that the Canvasback was still there so took some more photos. Having checked those, it was a different bird and more like the local Pochard so those photos have been discarded.

At the same end of the reservoir, there were a couple of Great White Egrets feeding - worth a shot.

and an adult Common Tern feeding a juvenile.

With little else of interest, it was time to head for home.