A good day for Water Rails
South Lake
The Discovery Hide is a good place to catch up with a variety of gull species although Great Black-backed Gull (pictured with fish remains) isn't too regular a visitor, this species is often found on the Top New Piece or Dumbles or on the Severn at low tide.
Nine Cormorants, 35+ Shoveler, 100+ Teal, 8 Shelduck, 350 Lapwing and 9 Black-tailed Godwit were among the birds present today. The deep lake hosted over 100 Pochard and 130 Tufted Duck during the middle part of the day.
Rushy Hide
Very busy with birds throughout the day, the Bewick's Swan flock were present dawn and dusk with many remaining through the day. The rest headed out to the Tack Piece. Seven Snipe and a Redshank were among the Lapwing. 50 Pintail and 230 Teal fed/roosted on the the lower pond.
Martin Smith Hide
The Jack Snipe showed for a time with two Common Snipe being easier to see among the day-roosting ducks. Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler were also calling. During the day the Blackbirds and Mistle Thrushes were alarm calling at what is likely to be a Tawny Owl. From the steps of the hide look back toward the Duck Decoy for the large ash tree with extensive ivy growth.
Willow Hide-Wall viewing slots and Knott Hide
3-4 Water Rail showing on and off as well as common passerines visiting the feeders.
Tack Piece
100s of Lapwing and Golden Plover, small numbers of Redshank among the grazing Wigeon flock. Large numbers of waders were visiting the Ox Piece, the field just N of the Tack Piece. The E. White-fronted Goose flock (80+) was also grazing here early morning at least. Two Water Rail were calling close to the Robbie Garnett Hide.
Holden Tower
The Mistle Thrush was defending it's berries as usual, a pair of Peregrine Falcon and up to 9 ringed Cranes also present.
Duck Decoy
Encouraging to see 50+ Mallard and a pair of Tufted Duck on the pond. Still some restoration work to do in here but this is timed midweek to avoid disturbing the pond too much.
Top New Piece from Zeiss Hide
Flocks of 100s of Lapwing commuting to Bottom New Piece. 16+ Snipe and 8+ Ruff (briefly) as well as a few Redshank. 100s Teal, Wigeon and 34 Pintail. 70+ Dunlin feeding and roosting.
Kingfisher Hide
Five Snipe, Water Rail and four Redshank feeding close to the hide (see images).
Out on the field flocks of Lapwing contained Golden Plover, 19 Ruff, 70 Wigeon and 40 Black-headed Gull. 200 Teal were on the flood o the far West side. Two Buzzards in the trees.
