There's not much to report this month. Apart from Moor Green and Yateley Common, I haven't been able to venture further afield due to the inclement weather which still persists. On the 14th, I went to Yateley Common, where on most days you can see DARTFORD WARBLER. The area is ideal for them, plenty of gorse and heather. I wasn't disappointed and saw a male and female after searching for about twenty minutes. They both appeared to be in good condition, so hopefully we won't have too cold a winter so that they have a chance of survival and later breeding. On the 16th, a male SMEW was seen at Moor Green, apparently hanging around with the roosting Goosanders. Unfortunately I couldn't get to the reserve that day so I missed it. I had seen a male SMEW before here, but that was way back in February 1996, a very long time ago.
On the 20th, I counted seventeen SNIPE sitting around in small groups out in the open at Plover Island, Moor Green. I  was quite surprised at this, as SNIPE are normally hidden in cover. I suppose it was a case of safety in numbers. SISKIN numbers have been reasonable, with the largest flock size of about fifty. LESSER REDPOLL have been few and far between this winter, with the odd sighting of two or three. Another bird that has been conspicuous by it's absence is FIELDFARE. So far this year I have seen one, which was eating berries from my neighbours Rowan tree.

December has turned out to be a very wet and windy month. On one particular day, when the wind was howling across Moor Green Lakes, it appeared to be snowing leaves. they were being blown from the many trees there in large quantities and quickly put down a carpet across the footpaths and paddocks. The rain has persisted and has been heavy at times, causing the river Blackwater to rise to the top of its banks and of course the rain hasn't helped the water levels on the reserve, which remain far too high to attract waders etc.
On the birding front it has been a bit quiet. The male GOLDENEYE has stayed at Grove Lake and probably will remain there for the rest of the winter. GOOSANDER come and go with numbers still on the low side. On the 11th, I joined Tony and Steve at the Grove Lake hide, not that we could see anything, as fog had obcured the lake. Gordon was absent and had gone to the Caribbean with Sue to find some sun, now who in their right mind would choose that over dark and foggy Berkshire!!!!!!!!. Anyway eventually the fog lifted, just in time for a male KINGFISHER to fly in and land on a reedmace in front of the hide. We had great views before it decided to fly to another reedmace even nearer to the hide. I didn't waste the opportunity and took several photos before it flew off and out of sight. I am always amazed at the vibrant colours of their plumage.
A flock of fifty or so REDWINGS, with a scattering of  FIELDFARE and BLACKBIRDS have over the last two weeks, eaten the considerable crop of rowanberries on my neighbours two trees, which are now completely bare of fruit. Now that their food source has gone,  the flock has  moved on to find food elsewhere.
I have managed to see WATER RAIL on two occasions this month, first on the 20th, which was a fleeting glance, when one ran across a gap in the reeds in front of the Colebrook Lake North (CLN) hide and the second on the 28th, when I had good views of a bird on the northern side of CLN. This bird was busy trying to chase away a SNIPE which it seemed to take a dislike to, but the SNIPE stood it's ground and eventually the WATER RAIL gave up and disappeared into the reeds.
Lastly, for those that celebrate it, I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.