23rd December - sunny starte, broken cloud afternoon, light SW, 9C

An afternoon visit to the local reservoir to see if the reported Smew was still present, I did not find it. However, there were 26 Goldeneye, my highest count here this winter, one male Goosander and three male Shoveler.   Thirteen Cormorants were busy fishing in a group.

c100 Lapwing flew over, looking to land on the dam, but the Grey-lag Geese were rather boisterous and they moved off to a nearby field.

A couple of Fieldfare flew over as did a single Goldfinch.  Two Lesser Redpoll flew into the Alders.  A mixed flock of Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Goldcrest were working their way along the hedgerow.  I was hoping a Chiffchaff would be with them, but no luck.

I checked to see if the Short-eared Owl was still present on the set aside field, and it was, hunting and showing well.