A rare visitor, the Smew, is currently being seen regularly on the lake. The Smew is a small, attractive, diving duck which is a rare winter visitor to the UK. In a normal year only between 100 and 200 birds are reported nationally and it is several years since one was last recorded at the lake. So the news that one has now been seen multiple times for four days in a row (starting on Sunday December 4th) is very exciting. Plenty of birdwatchers hoping for a glimpse have already been attracted to the lake as a result.
Smew at Stocker’s Lake - 07 12 22 © Dave Watson
To date all reports of the bird have been of it on the lake towards its west end moving around between islands. It has been observed a number of times from Tern Hide, from the leaning post at the lake’s west end and from the west end of the riverside path.
To keep up to date with latest news not only of the Smew but also of other birds currently being seen at the reserve please monitor our sightings page.