12th December 2009

As you can imagine, the possibility of the wild swan flock returning was very much on my mind and hence I cycled to the lakes early morning and made sure I checked all three pools before most other people arrived, but there was no sign of them. The 2 Shovelers were still at Terry's Pool, along with 2 Treecreepers and 10 Goldfinches, plus a Kingfisher was heard. Best bird was a somewhat confiding female Pochard at Windmill Pool, only my second at the lakes this half of the year, along with 6 Tufted Ducks. 4 Rooks flew over the lakes.

I then spent much of the rest of the day pedalling around the Earlswood area, and even ventured to Umberslade for the first time, but no swans were seen anywhere :-(
Highlights in Earlswood area:

• Umberslade Road (Earlswood): 1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Jay.
• Earlswood Common: 22 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares and a number of other birds in a horse pasture - good field.
• Earlswood STW: 1 Grey Wagtail, 4th Treecreeper.
• Terry's Green: a Buzzard on telegraph wire along Small Lane let me cycle within 10 metres passed it without taking off.
• Forshaw Heath: 34 Fieldfares and a few Redwing moved through, plus 2 female Common Pheasants in a field.

M.P. Griffiths