A report of Waxwings in Litlington (a Cambridgeshire village around four miles from Royston) on the morning of the 1st encouraged me to visit, but sadly I arrived too late (as at Berkhamsted in November) and the birds were not reported again. The weather (dull, initially cold but later warmer with periods of rain) did not invite me to go outside often and on the sunny days I either had other things to do or drove further afield. A single Snipe from the viewpoint was the best that I could manage on a visit to Amwell on the 5th (Smew had been reported there a couple of days beforehand), whilst a walk up to Hatchpen Farm on the 7th provided me with a record count of 11 Moorhens on the pond (you can see that I'm clutching at straws for sightings!). A flock of 53 Golden Plovers was seen near Therfield on the 8th.
Common Snipe, Amwell NR, 5 December
Having finally recovered from November's viral infection I promptly developed a 'proper' cold, which laid me low for a few days. On the 15th I decided to work my way up the Lee Valley, starting at Cheshunt Lakes (9 Goosander seen), moving up to Stanstead Innings (Great Northern Diver still present and my first sighting of the first winter male Scaup) and finishing at Amwell, where I saw a female Smew from the viewpoint. In addition to the Goosanders, Scaup and Smew I also saw Red-crested Pochard (Stanstead and Amwell), Goldeneye (Amwell), Pochard and Tufted Duck: seven species of diving duck in Hertfordshire in a day.
Male (right) and Female Goosander, Cheshunt Lakes, 15 December
Juvenile Male Scaup, Stanstead Innings, 15 December
Whilst I was watching the Scaup, I noticed some interesting behaviour. A dead Mute Swan was lying face down in the water, away to my right - possibly a victim of bird flu (the bird was reported to the authorities). As I watched, a pair of swans swam rapidly over from the other side of the lake, followed (presumably) by their family of five cygnets. The lead swan reached the dead swan and gently pushed its bill under the feathers, as if trying to turn it over or revive it. It continued to do this for a couple of minutes, whilst the other swans gathered round. The swans stayed close to their dead relative for a few minutes before slowly moving away. Was this a sign of care and compassion for another of their species? If the dead swan was infected, I hope that the infection was not spread by this action.
Mute Swan 'investigating' another, dead, Mute Swan, Stanstead Innings, 15 December
Mute Swan Family with Dead Mute Swan, Stanstead Innings, 15 December
My walks up to Hatchpen Farm in December regularly produced at least four gull species (Black-headed, Common, Herring and Lesser Black-backed). Ravens were also regularly seen, with both a single near my house and two over Reed village on the 18th. I went on my last 'round the villages' walk on the 20th, seeing 39 species. Phillup's Lake again hosted lots of wildfowl, including eight Tufted Ducks and six Gadwall, and in the same area I saw a small group of young male Fallow Deer.
Male Fallow Deer, Reed End, 20 December
Tufted Ducks, Phillup's Lake, Reed End, 20 December
A Great Egret, seen at Tyttenhanger on the 22nd, was the last addition of the year to my Hertfordshire bird list (130). December ended on a windy and soggy note. Overall, 2023 was the third wettest year since I started keeping garden records in 1992, with 28.7 inches of rain.
Great White Egret, Tyttenhanger, 22 December
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