Three images above (Adam Hartley)
Eclipse drake AMERICAN WIGEON, Sonning Eye GP, Oxfordshire, 14 September 2009 (Roger Wyatt)
There was an adult eclipse drake AMERICAN WIGEON on Sonning Eye Gravel Pit this afternoon. (Sunday 14 September) The bird was originally on one of the Henley Rd Pits with no access but was flushed and ended up at the North end of Sonning Eye. This pit is private with no official public access but as long as no one drives through the gate and people park sensibly nearby there shouldn't be a problem.
To access the pit take the B478 towards Sonning and turn right at the little roundabout. Please do not park in front of the gate. Walk through the gate and walk approx. 100yards to view the pit on the right. The bird was in the right hand end of the pit (Hugh Netley)
The bird was still present and showing well this morning when Roger Wyatt, Ian Wilson and I visited the site - feeding with an eclipse drake Eurasian Wigeon, 4 Gadwall and 44 Coots. The gleaming white axillaries were striking (Lee G R Evans)
