Saturday 22nd December

I managed to get out between 8am and 10am today - quite dark first thing but it did brighten up.

TESCO LAKE

I parked by Alders Lake which was almost completely frozen except for a strip around the island where all the birds congregated. Nothing out of the ordinary however. I walked towards the scrape and then scanned the end of the Millstream. A small flock of LT Tits fed close by and were joined by a Chiffchaff.

Over towards Abbey Mead - no sign of the Pintail of 88 Wigeon seen yesterday but a Bittern showed well in the bottom of a tree on the far side of the pit. A Kingfisher also shot past. At least one Bullfinch called from the bushes.

Down towards Brooklands Lake two Grey Wagtail called as the flew over and another Chiffchaff was with a tit flock in the car park. Along the Millstream path I scanned the tp of the Millstream pit - 23 Cormorant were on the island with Common/LBB and BH Gulls.

BLACK HEADED GULLS ON THE FROZEN MILLSTREAM LAKE

Back to the car 20+ Goldfinch were making their tinkling calls in the top of a bare Oak.

A FESTIVE ROBIN !!