The numbers of ducks avoiding the freezing conditions further east continue to rise. Wigeon, teal, shovelers and pintails are all more numerous than they have been in recent weeks. The 'sawbill' numbers are also rising. The smew count is now up to four, with two redheads being seen on Drayton Lagoon, as well as the drake and redhead on Swavesey Lake. The goosander numbers have risen to eight on Drayton Lagoon; still two drakes but now six redheads with them. This is the best count of goosander since the RSPB bought the lakes in 2007. The long-tailed duck is still on Ferry Lagoon and a single adult Bewick's swan spent most of the day at Far Fen Lake.
One of the bitterns showed well at Drayton Lagoon, today, and another was flushed by a walker, further along the valley, from a drainage ditch beside the settlement lagoons at Needingworth Quarry.
Waders are still in evidence. There were two black-tailed godwits, along with a redshank, this morning and 11 golden plovers flew south over there at midday. A woodcock was flushed from the nort east corner of Elney Lake.
The female marsh harrier was seen again, over Holywell Lake.
Around 2,000 starlings came out of the roost, this morning, considerably more than went in last night! Just goes to show how many can arrive when it's dark.