Grafham Water in the freeze

From 08.15 - 16.30 - life in the freezer!

One of my most enjoyable days ever at Grafham, culminating in finding a Grafham tick.

Eurasian White-fronted Goose, initially at Gaynes creek, then mid-afternoon feeding in field south of Plummer CP with 100+ Greylags and a Pink-footed Goose. An over-due patch tick for me.

Kittiwake, juvenile from dam early afternoon
Whooper Swan, adult flew east towards Paxton Pits
Red-crested Pochards, 27 (groups of 14, 10, 3) - new county record.
Smew, 10-12 (2 drks), various areas
Velvet Scoter, immature male still from dam
Great Northern Diver, 4 together off Mander CP this evening
Greater Scaup, 2 (1 drk)
Northern Pintail 2 (drks)
Goosander, c.20
Little Egret 1
Dunlin 9 at north end of dam
Peregrine, one around dam
Yellow-legged Gull 2 (3rd & 2nd cal yrs)
Wigeon 500+ (many arriving from the east during the day)
Pochard 350+
Tufted Duck 1600+
Woodpigeon, 2000+ around east end of reservoir

(Mark Hawkes)

Also, 4 Black-necked Grebes breifly at Hill Farm this morning, but they flew off west - and no further sign by dusk (Colin Addington). Access to Hill Farm car park with caution. Due to the gradient to get out again - it is only just do-able in a 2x wheel drive.