Scandinavian scenes in the CWP

17 Dec - a very successful late afternoon visit to the CWP after seeing the Cirencester Waxwings - on checking pit 44, I idly scanned the reeds and had a shock to see the Bittern sitting out in full view at the edge of the reedbed, enjoying the rays of the late afternoon sun - too distant for anything other than a poor record shot (4,JM;5). Two drake Goosander were on pit 44 (5,JM) and 4 birds, including 3 males, were on pit 30. A Little Egret and Water Rail were on the River Thames by pit 44 and a Lesser Redpoll flew over. Generally rather few wildfowl around as most pits frozen. The Smew seem to have moved on for the present. Two smart adult Yellow-legged Gulls were with other large gulls on the ice on pit 57. At Shorncote the Barn Owl was sitting in a pollarded willow, and a flock of 18 Waxwings flew over calling and heading west. Deep frozen everywhere, reminiscent of my winter trips to Sweden - a very clear winter light, and a clarity and tranquillity about the landscape.