Monthly Sightings Summary - December 2022

With the end of the year approaching there were plenty of interesting birds turning up on the reserve. A cold snap saw overnight temperatures falling to -8 degrees and staying below freezing for about a week. The reserve was transformed into a winter wonderland and waterfowl were massing on the remaining open water. Sightings of note during the month included:

• Great Egret - 8 flying over Holywell on 3rd, 14 on Ferry on 15th
• Cattle Egret - 20 flying over Holywell on 3rd
• Golden Plover - 20 flew over the busway on 6th
• Glossy Ibis - One flew from Ferry to Moore on 6th and again on Middle Fen on 20th
• Smew - The first pair returned on Moore on 9th, 3 on Ferry on 17th
• Green Sandpiper - One on Moore on 10th
• Red-crested Pochard - Drake on Elney on 10th
• Water Pipit - Calling bird on Elney on 10th
• Black-tailed Godwit - 45 on Moore on 10th
• Bittern - 3 on ice on Oxholme and Elney on 14th
• Wood Duck - Pair on Ferry on 14th
• Whooper/Bewick's Swan - Flock of 5 flew over Ferry on 14th
• Short-eared Owl - One on Middle Fen on 17th
• Spoonbill - One on Ferry on 18th
• Peregrine - One over Holywell on 19th
• Long-tailed Tit - Not normally featured but 78 on 19th counted around Drayton and Ferry was notable 
• Redshank - One on Elney on 20th
• Goosander - Duck on Drayton on 23rd into the new year

Wishing a happy new year to all the blog readers and to good birding in 2023!