Foxcote in the freeze

Foxcote Reservoir was still largely covered with ice this afternoon, except for two patches of open water; one in front of the hide and one close to the east shore, which was where the majority of the action was. Here there were 108 Wigeon, 52 Mallard and single figure counts of Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Pochard, Teal and Goldeneye, plus 211 Coots. The patch in front of the hide held 8 Common Goldeneye plus two drake GOOSANDERS which came in and left again after 15 mins. An odd sight was a Great Crested Grebe, which repeatedly got up "on its hind legs" to walk across the ice! (Phil Tizzard)