Sunday 30th December

A great morning of mammals with Fox on the new meadow first thing as I headed across to Kramer hide, then great action by 2 Otters which rampaged through the reed beds and over the spit in a great game of chase before disappearing into the channel through to east Fingers. A little later a Muntjac appeared on the spit opposite the hide, grazing on the branches at the edge of the water. A pair of Gadwall and at least 3 different Shoveller put in appearances at various times during the morning. A Kingfisher came to the tree, left of the hide, again.

Muntjac

Having left the hide I noticed a large flock of Lapwing high and heading east over Kingsmead (c.100).

West Fingers:

7 Little Grebe

Pair Mute Swans

This ringed Robin was on the path between the dead seat and the steps

Main lake hide:

93 Pochard (9f)

17 Tufted Duck (3f)

12 Great Crested Grebe

21 Cormorant

42 Shoveller

44 Teal over, all bar 15 dropped into Fingers the other continued on north east.

The usual 2 pair of Mute Swan were joined by 5 that flew in from the east. A Kingfisher was calling in the south west corner of the lake.