Vast numbers of wildfowl at FOXCOTE

20 December: I had expected that large areas of the reservoir would be frozen, but there were just a few small patches of ice to the left and right of the hide, and close to the dam. Most of the ducks were congregated around the edges, in some cases deep in the vegetation, so I am sure that my count underestimated the numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Mallard. Nevertheless there were 731 Eurasin Wigeon, 218 Teal, 87 Mallard, 29 Shoveler but strangely, a lower than normal count of 300 Coot and just 7 Gadwall. Also the drake RING-NECKED DUCK was still present showing well to the left of hide before relocating to the far side of reservoir, as well as 7 Common Goldeneye, 2 drake Goosander, 2 female-type Ruddy Duck, 15 Mute Swan, 70 Canada Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 47 Tufted Duck, 21 Pochard, 16 Cormorant, 7 Great Crested Grebe and just 3 Moorhen. Two groups of Lapwing (total 44) flew through during my WEBS count but didn't stop and there were low numbers of Common and Black-headed Gull (Bill Parker)