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A wetland taken away from them. Ice has seized most of the open water and the flotilla of remaining wildfowl huddle shoulder to shoulder in ever decreasing pools. Species mix like customers in a christmas shopping centre, they have to be there but none really relish having to be so close to others.
Today the sight of a little grebe stood out on ice preening was a first. I can not recall seeing this species standing up ever before. As you'd imagine it was quite upright.
The air was busy with thrush and 5 fieldfare mixed with over 60 redwing. A marsh harrier was present and seemed an unfair reminder to the 'lesser' species that if they waver they will die. It drifted about the reedbeds and also perched on hawthorn to preen, white downy feathers floating away from it to join the snowflakes.
Chowder was under a layer of snow and a few waders huddled the the brown borders to the River, including a few golden plover and a bar tailed godwit.
The male smew had 4 goldeneye for company on Hotel Pit, which seems to be the most open of pits at the moment.
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