December 10th 2006

A visit between 8am and 9.30 this morning. Bright and cold -2 degrees and frosty.

I went to Lunsford House lake first which is directly below junction 4 of the M20. This is often the first pit that Smew appear on. No luck today. They have been more scarce in recent years.

FROSTY HIPS

I then drove via Alders/Cormorant Lake, again hoping the cold weather had brought something interesting in. There seemed to be more Pochard and Gadwall but not much else.

Back around to the Water Works entrance. A quick check for Bittern but again no luck......but the pair of Goosander were still on the Millstream Lake. Then over to Abbey Mead at least 20 Redwing overhead, a Jay and a Sparrowhawk. A scan of Abbey Mead found a male Goldeneye amongst the rafts of diving duck. Back over the railway to the open area.

Again lots of Redwing and a few Fieldfare over the West srub area plus a few Goldfinch feeding on the teasel heads

GOLDFINCH

Back through the East scrub. Full of Redwing and Fieldfare and a large mixed flock of tits. Back to the scrape I walked over to the round pond - a pair of Stonechat were showing well here.

STONECHAT MALE & FEMALE

Back around to the car a Cettis called from near the scrape and a Grey Heron over.