Weekend

3-4 Dec - A drake Smew at CWP 28a, an early arrival this year after the cold weather. Shorncote late afternoon and 2 pairs of Stonechats feeding in the sun, with good numbers if Redwings and Fieldfares moving, along with Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails calling. Sun at Slimbridge and brief views of a Bittern in the reeds from Kingfisher hide, amazingly camouflaged. Snipe and Water Rail were more visible than usual, forced into the open by the freeze up. Bewick's Swans were calling and displaying in the sun on Rushy Pen, but the Tack Piece fairly quiet in the frost although a Peregrine still did a flyby. Late afternoon 4 more Bewick's Swans..... this time brief visitors to Coate Water. Sparkling wintry conditions, but not supposed to last much longer.....