Pick of the weekend's sightings was our first drake smew of this winter period. This fine male joined the redhead on Swavesey Lake on Sunday. Another 'sawbill', a male goosander, was also seen over the weekend, on Drayton Lagoon on Saturday. These ducks are known as sawbills because of the serrated edge to their beak - handy when you are trying to keep hold of a slippery fish.
In the meantime, the immature long-tailed duck relocated to Ferry Lagoon and is now favouring the south-eastern corner. I've placed a couple of photographs in the Gallery, taken by local photographer Garth Peacock & our very own volunteer Nigel Sprowell - well done chaps!
Bitterns were seen at both Elney Lake and Holywell Lake - please can we ask visitors to keep to the paths and rights of way to avoid disturbing these birds? The freezing conditions are now upon us & this usually brings the higher numbers to roost at Fen Drayton Lakes. In previous years, 4 or 5 have been present. However, the ice on the lakes can make it difficult for the birds to find food. Last winter, supplementary feeding was required at some sites. If the cold snap continues & this is again considered necessary, we'll let you know what is happening at Fen Drayton Lakes through this blog.
The starlings continued in similar numbers over the weekend and were enjoyed by many hardy souls. Don't forget to stay on after the first group has dropped into the reeds and many more arrive afterwards and the crows, rooks and jackdaws often fly in later.
We had some waders of interest as well, this weekend, with a flock of over 40 black-tailed godwits and a dunlin at Ferry Lagoon.