Only a couple of hundred starlings came into the roost, this afternoon. We had suspected that numbers would drop off as the birds headed further south and west in search of frost free ground, but to go from thousands to hundreds in only two nights is rather rapid. It begs the question 'Is it over for this year?' - only time will tell.
Around the rest of the lakes, the two smew remain on Swavesey Lake. Yesterday, there were 5 goosanders on Drayton Lagoon, but only two there today. Also yesterday, the long-tailed duck reappeared in the north west corner of Ferry Lagoon and 6 Bewick's swans dropped in for a brief visit before flying off to the north.
Bitterns have been much in evidence. Yesterday, there were flights at Ferry Lagoon and Oxholme Lake. Today, one was walking along the northern edge of Drayton Lagoon.