Frosty morning with 2 Jack Snipe feeding on the thawed ground
2 Jack Snipe - one flew up from edge of reeds on the south route and headed to the main lake; the other bird was feeding on the scrape
2 Bittern - main lake SE+N shores
2 Shelduck - main lake
4 Pintail - marsh, sheltered lagoon
10 Fieldfare - reservoir lagoon tree block
December bird highlights: Shelduck, Goldeneye, Bittern, Great White Egret, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Little Owl, Peregrine, Yellow-legged Gull, Brambling, Water Pipit, Skylark, Rock Pipit
Bitterns (up to 3 birds so far) can be found mostly on the main lake shores, particularly the north shore. The flooded wader scrape and marsh have plenty of feeding winter duck including Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal, as well as Jack Snipe, Snipe and Water Pipit. Also on the main lake there’s been occasional Yellow-legged Gull, hunting Peregrine, Water Rail, Snipe and Lapwing. Gadwall and Goldeneye can be found on the reservoir lagoon. Listen out for possible Bearded Tit in the reedbed; this species often appears during November/December. Alder and Birch trees across the reserve hold some mixed flocks of Goldfinch, Siskin and a few Redpoll.
