Thank you Frank for your contribution to ornithological concerns at Widewater.

Both Jo and I and another birder I met last week had observed what appeared to be the missing Egrets, a species which was virtually a guaranteed sighting at Widewater in recent years.

However, John Newnham had recorded one on his December Wetland Bird Survey.

I noted 16 Little Grebes just recently. Only a few singletons were at the west end with a group of approximately 12 at the east end where I observed them catching small fish. In past years the mid-winter count has peaked at approximately 30.

Perhaps residents and others visiting the Lagoon can keep a note of sightings of these and other species (they can be entered onto BTO Birdtrack) and reported via SDOS User Group and I will collect information prior to the next Local Nature Reserve steering committee meeting on 20th March which both Jo and I will attend and can raise this topic if necessary.

It is perhaps a relief that the Lagoon is still favoured by the Red-breasted Mergansers and even Coot this year which are not a regular annual feature.