Sunday December 24

In the run up to Christmas its been all hands to the pump in our household, and so a couple of hours on the patch this morning came as a welcome relief.

It was cloudy and mild, and I didn't see all that much. The highlights were the continued presence of a Peregrine, at least one Stonechat, and a minimum of 88 Linnets which perched up nicely allowing me to eliminate any thoughts that there could be a Twite among them. One day maybe.

One thing that had changed was the water level. I just don't understand water tables and how they affect the patch. Within the course of a fortnight almost every pool has filled up, the only exception being the westernmost dragonfly pool which relies on the overflow of the one above it. This change has come about in spite of a dull grey fortnight with no more than a few nights of light drizzle.

Admittedly the whole area was under a foot of snow, and I can only think that that is the cause.

A smattering of Mallard on the main pool

A flock of 63 Mallard have taken up residence on the pool, while 22 Teal, and 18 Greylag Geese shared the flash field with a Green Sandpiper, and about 20 Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits.

I'll be back here after the 25th, so Merry Christmas to everyone in the meantime.