Despite the gloom and the ongoing struggle with the 400D, I had an outstanding number of first (or first 'decent') sightings today. I'd wandered a little further along the lake in Regent's Park to a more secluded area and was astounded by the variety of species, several of which were entirely new to me.
I'll start with the Smew, a water bird I'd not seen (let alone photographed) before. This beautiful northern duck was parading along an iron grill which sectioned off a small part of the lake. It made a perfect background for the shot, as you can see. This is a male. Small numbers winter in the UK, but they are more at home in Scandanavia and Russia.
Less startling, but almost certainly even more scarce is the Garganey (another new one for me). According to the RSPB it is scarce, normally only seen in summer months in the UK and we have less than 120 breeding pairs. This one seems an early arrival.
Next on the list is one I have seen before, but only photographed at silly distances. Its the teal, a pretty duck. The male is the one with the green head stripe.
You can probably tell that I was enjoying myself. These shots were all taken in a 15 minute period, before I had to head back to work. The next one is another first, photographically at least. It's a Goldeneye, the name for once being easy to understand.
Then there's one I've yet to identify (any duck experts please chip in!)
This last one I did recognize… it's unmistakeable. I probably have the odd photo somewhere though I couldn't swear to that. It's a mandarin duck. 
I think I have to leave it there for tonight. although I still have an unknown goose to identify; and as if to prove that it's not only cormorants that can roost in trees, I got a couple of shots of an Egyptian goose in a tree!
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 400D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
Dudley
5 Feb 2011Oh, great contrast of the Smew.
Dudley
5 Feb 2011Northern Pintail Duck
Mickeyjoe-Irl
5 Feb 2011Amazing how much variety there is in duck species.
RobinL
5 Feb 2011Words, congrats on a great day of firsts. The Smew is very pretty. As is the Garganey and pink footed Teal, but the Mandarin is gorgeous!
I agree with Andy: Northern Pintail!
Great shots, by the way!
gdare
5 Feb 2011I don`t think I`ve ever seen any of those birds before. First shot is great!!!
Words
5 Feb 2011Andy, thanks for the pintail i.d. I was looking at the wrong end of the bird! I was really pleased with the smew… a very elegant bird indeed.
Words
5 Feb 2011Mick, I was astonished at the variety in one small secluded area of the park. It's interesting how they've congregated out of the way of the larger birds.
Words
5 Feb 2011Robin, thanks. It was a really good few minutes. I'll try to get back there if there's some better weather in the next week. The mandarin is very photogenic, and so distinctive.
Words
5 Feb 2011Darko, it was certainly an unusual crowd to come across, and completely unexpected. 😀
anonymous
5 Feb 2011Anonymous writes:
Sorry~ "anonymous" is me 🙂
http://www.thepaperbutterfly.net/
SittingFox
5 Feb 2011Smew are very graceful, almost like small eiders! You obviously enjoyed your day! 🙂
And yes, the strange duck is a pintail. I don't think I've seen one in London :right:
wellisteffi
5 Feb 2011The first 2 pictures are awesome.
It looks like modern art. :up:
anonymous
5 Feb 2011Anonymous writes:
What a gorgeous variety of waterfowl photos as of late. I love the smew (what a name) with the reflections in the water. I believe that unidentified one could be a Northern Pintail (male).
This fall I saw a few rare ducks (I say rare because usually all we see are Mallards, Black Ducks and Canada Geese). I spotted two types of Mergansers (Hooded and Common), Goldeneyes, and Wood Ducks.
Words
5 Feb 2011Paper Butterfly, thanks for confirming the pintail. Like so many of these, it was a new one on me. It seems the year for unusual sightings.
Words
5 Feb 2011Adele, the smew was a real visual surprise. I did enjoy it, but not enough to make me change my plans to avoid London after next week 😉 I'll check back there though to see what else I can find while I have the chance.
Words
5 Feb 2011Erwin, thanks!
Words
6 Feb 2011Thanks Cynthia!
Cynthia23
6 Feb 2011Great set of photos! Wow, really beautiful!!
cakkleberrylane
9 Feb 2011Brilliant! The mandarin duck is so beautiful!
Words
9 Feb 2011Lois, thanks!
anonymous
8 Jun 2012Anonymous writes:
Beautiful photos, especially the smew against the reeds. Very nice. Thanks.
Words
10 Jun 2012Anon, thanks! The smew was very pretty, and those park railings (not reeds) did make for a good background.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Great shots
Pat
27 Oct 2014The two teal in the picture are Ringed Teal(the one with pink feet) and Common Teal. Common Teal is a sub-species of the North American Greenwing Teal.
Words
27 Oct 2014Pat, thanks for that extra information. Appreciated.