Long-tailed Duck at Carnsew Pool

A drake Long-tailed Duck was found at Carnsew Pool on Monday this week.  Monty called me yesterday to let me know it was showing well and fairly confiding.  Today it was happier to stay out in the middle of the pool so the views weren't quite as good as yesterday.  That said, this is a stunning bird to see and well worth a visit this weekend.  In Cornwall this species is classed as a scarce or uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.  Numbers fluctuate annually and a good year  would see no more than a handful of records in Cornwall.  Most popular sites to see this species are Mount's Bay, Gerrans Bay, Carbis Bay and Sennen.  Thus to see this bird "inland" at Carnsew Pool is indeed unusual.