I arrived at Kirkby-on-Bain at 10.30 today (Fri) and with Tim Bagnall (Gib Pt), got straight onto the 2 drake Smew on Riverslea Pit , swimming and diving in the company of a couple of drake Goldeneye. Unfortunately, the Smew had 'disappeared' by c. 11.00.
Waiting around for the White Stork to show lasted until it appeared overhead at c.12.20; it circled around for several minutes, quite low over us on one occasion, accompanied by a swarm of Gulls, but dwarfing them with its massive wingspan. The Stork looked as if it might head for the tip but a VERY loud 'bird scarer', which had been sounding off every few minutes all morning, made it veer away and head for the (favourite) lake across from the tip. The bird scarer may well have kept the Stork away from the tip for most of the morning.
A celebratory 'whoop' was heard from the direction of Katherine B. as Lifer No. 210 was recorded (see above). Congratulations, Katherine
Freddy