Well, we had our first snow of the winter period, this morning, but it only lasted half an hour and didn't really come to much. The most significant change, however, is that some of the lakes have started to freeze over, most notably Holywell Lake. Oxholme Lake, Elney Lake & Far Fen Lake are all showing significant amounts of ice. As the lakes freeze, the birds are concentrated into smaller areas and actually show better as they cannot hide in the frozen margins.
As a result, today's bird sightings were quite impressive. The drake and redhead smew remain on Swavesey Lake and the drake goosander is still on Drayton Lagoon. Unfortunately, the long-tailed duck could not be found today.
Bitterns showed well at Elney Lake and, this afternoon, were seen walking out into the open on the ice. Bearded tits were heard calling from the reeds on the islands here.
It was a good day for birds of prey. A female marsh harrier flew north over Holywell Lake at lunchtime &, almost immediately after, a male peregrine did the same, this time being mobbed by one of the local kestrels. At least four sparrowhwks enjoyed the starling roost, with one being successful in making a kill.
The starling roost itself was one of the better ones in recent times. The light was fantastic and the attentions of the sparrowhawks meant that the starlings stayed in the air longer and made some amazing shapes as they swerved to avoid being the unlucky one. Numbers were estimated at around 12,000.