A few extra Bewick Swans.
Rushy
There were 143 Bewicks here this morning which included 4 new adults that flew out on the feed. These are probably Somerset wintering birds gathering with the main flock prior to migrating. The wader flock has been great here with several hundred Lapwing and on occasions up to 300 Dunlin moving backwards and forward between the Tack Piece and here. The Little Stint has been seen on several occasions through the day.
Holden Tower and walkway hides.
The Whitefronted Geese have been very mobile today, mainly feeding in fields to the north and latterly distantly on the estuary. Up to 7 Cranes were moving around the area and around 900 Wigeon and 200 teal were in the Tack Piece. A slight drop of Lapwing here today but still around 1000 with just a handful of Golden Plover. Up to 40 Curlew were seen distantly on the estuary and a male Peregrine was perched on a log. A flock of 70 Linnet were very active in the Tack Piece. Lots of activity from the Willow Hide highlights were a Water Rail that was on show all day, great views for many of a Cettis Warbler and a small group of Bullfinch in the hedge behind the feeders.
Zeiss Hide
At least 9 Snipe several of which were fairly close and very active along the edge of the near scrape. Around 80 Dunlin, just a few Lapwing today and remarkably few Ducks perhaps deterred by some pretty intense Goshawk activity here over the past week. The Bittern show on and of from 10.10.
South Lake
Fantastic spectacle of around 2000 Lapwing here all day. Up to 700 Dunlin and 6 ruff were among them. Four Oystercatchers were getting noisy and territorial. Many Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shovelor and a great crested Grebe were on the north side of the lake sheltering under the trees from a cutting northerly wind.
