This week saw winter arrive with a vengeance. The views of the loch from the cafe, however, were especially good in the clear, dry and cold conditions, as was the latte and freshly baked scone. The Carden Flood and smaller pools were frozen over today, and consequently showed little activity apart from the odd Black-headed Gull standing on the ice.
Amongst the 50-60 Greylag Geese grazing on the reserve was a single Barnacle Goose. Fewer Pink-footed Geese are around now, as most of their number have moved further south to overwinter, leaving a core of 4000-5000 that will remain here until they migrate back to Iceland. Earlier in the week, large numbers of Whooper Swans could be been seen on the loch and the flood, though today it was the turn of the Mute Swans to occupy the bay. A small flock of 8 Curlews have been present for most of the week. The Black-tailed Godwit and female Smew were still hanging about to be observed last weekend, but haven't been seen in the last few days. Also in the bay today, amongst the Teal, Pochard, Mallard, Goldeneye, Tufted Ducks and Goosanders, were several Shelducks. All the Widgeon had moved over to the shore on St Serf's Island.
The feeder stations have been mobbed as usual; the most notable visitors amongst the Coal tits, Great tits, Blue tits, Greenfinches, Chaffinches and Goldfinches, were Bramblings and a Tree Sparrow. On the 27th, a Goldcrest and a Redwing were seen in the trees close to the visitor's centre.
Several Buzzards and a Kestrel can be guaranteed to show practically every day, and this week was no exception. In addition, a Peregrine Falcon and a Sparrowhawk were also seen.