Bosherston waterfowl this afternoon

Noted Richard's comments about his earlier visit today. The numbers and variety of waterfowl were higher at the upper eastern arm pool by late this afternoon, possibly reflecting inter-lake movements from still partially unfrozen parts of the western and central arms?

A record gadwall count for the lakes (38 birds); 15 wigeon; 65 coot (very low numbers for the time of year here); 18 little grebes; 29 mute swans; 6 goosander (plus 2 feeding along-side teal and mallard deep within the confines of dense reedbed); 2 pochard (male and female); 2 tufted ducks (male and female); 2 shoveler (male and female); 28 mallard; 12 teal; 1 pintail (female) plus 2 kingfishers and various moorhens, cormorants, couple of herons and probably in excess of 8 water rails squealing in various reedy/swampy places.

The usual jackdaw roost is probably around 2,000 strong but there seem to be comparatively few winter thrushes or finches feeding or roosting in this general area - where are they all?