A chilly start
A covering of ice in places greeted the morning sun and kept the birds on the ground long enough for some counts. Top of the list were Lapwing with at least 5916 birds on the reserve but a small number uncounted in the neighbouring fields. The Whooper Swan was back on the Rushy this morning with at least 120 Bewick's Swans.
South Lake Hides
The bulk of the Lapwing numbers came from a frozen South Lake this morning with 3418 birds sitting long enough to count. There were also 350+ Dunlin, 116 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Ruff and an Avocet on the scrape. The deep lake held 79 Pochard on and 55 Snipe were in front of the Hogarth Hide.
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Zeiss Hide
A nice flock of 214 Golden Plover were at the southern end of the scrape with a packed flock of 313 Dunlin in the middle and 932 Lapwing spread across the whole area. At least 23 Snipe were around the shoreline. The Red-breasted Goose was on the Bottom New Piece with Barnacle Goose flock and 2 Buzzard on seawall fighting over a carcass.
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Robbie Garnett Hide
At least 1566 Lapwing here this morning with around 400 Golden Plover too. Other waders included 28 Ruff, 8 Redshank and 20+ Curlew which will likely increase as the day warms up and things thaw.
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