4th December - touch of ground frost, sunny periods during the morning, becoming cloudy. light SW freshening, 11C

The local lake was rather quite this morning, a lone female Bullfinch was calling from the bushes, a few Fieldfare were feeding in the hedge whilst four Goldfinch fed on the Teasels.  Little on the lake, a single Little Grebe with the Mallard, Coots and Mute Swan family.  Two Water Rail were calling from the reeds.

The afternoon was spent at Brandon marsh, also fairly quite.  The water level has risen in the river side pools due to the recent heavy rain, making them less favoured by some birds.  A rather satisfied Blackbird was sitting on a wild rose bush, looking rather replete.

A Grey Heron flew off calling loudly, others had seen a Little Egret, but I failed to find it.  On the East Marsh there were about 100 Lapwing and 30+ Shoveler.  A drake and female Goldeneye were also present, along with Teal, Gadwall and Tufted Duck.

A Kingfisher came by and sat on top of a Bullrush, but gone before I could get it in the frame.  A Buzzard flew over but did not hang around.  About 200 Grey-lag Geese flew in to join those and Canada Geese already there for the evening roost.  Three Stock Doves were flying around the bottom marsh area and landed in their usual tree.