Scaup at Carlton Marshes

During the afternoon of Saturday 24th October, a long walk up to the Peto's Marsh meant I had left my camera at home with the windy conditions, big mistake! A close feeding yellow- billed Great White Egret feeding barely 50 metres away meant I would have frame filling photos. This is a large Egret species around Grey Heron sized, sporting a striking yellow bill (winter plumage) and typically long necked with the distinctive kink half way down, it fed in the nearest flooded pool and was totally fearless. Seeing Julie we then walked up past the first new n hide to half way over to the North hide and looking out I first saw a Tufted Duck and then up popped the female Scaup, with light "dirt" brown plumage and distinction white circular band at the base of the bill.