FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER
Following yesterday's deluge which left some serious flooding behind, today was contrastingly pleasant, with clear skies, light winds and dry weather - and a temperature of 8 degrees C.
Also, the World did not end, so I can get out tomorrow and buy some presents....
The GORE HILL covey of Red-legged Partridges increased by one today to 5, whilst on the CHESS VALLEY, the adult GREAT WHITE EGRET moved further east along the river and spent the day fishing just 50 yards west of Frogmore Meadow. Visitors today included Ephraim Perfect and his brother, Arsenal supporter Chris Pontin, Don Stone, Andy Radford and about 11 others
A GREEN SANDPIPER landed on the Chess briefly before relocating to the Crestyl Watercress Beds at Sarratt Bottom and Little Egrets once more numbered 9 birds.
A visit to PRESTWOOD (just about in my Recording Area) resulted in seeing 53 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. Found by Joel Lund this morning, all were still present mid-afternoon when Don, Mike Collard, Graham Smith and Paul Keene and I were there. They are eating some pretty ropey shrivelled-up berries on the two trees between Groom Road and Bouquet Close along Hildreth Road at SP 876 002. Four Fieldfares were also noted and 19 Common Starlings.