A not so Ruff count
We seem to have had an influx of Ruff this morning with at least 26 birds present. The species can be seen from almost every hide with individuals totals being 13 birds on the Rushy Pen, 2 on the Top New Piece as seen from Zeiss Hide, at least 5 on South Lake from the Discovery Hide and another 6 birds on the Tack Piece as seen from Robbie Garnett Hide. The total was made up of a good mix of adults and juveniles so its a great opportunity to see the variation within a single speices.
Otherwise we seem to also have lots of Chiffchaff around today, along with a few Willow Warblers. Check the hedgerows or any mixed tit flocks carefully for other species such as Blackcap, Goldcrest and Whitethroat.
South Lake Hide
Waders included at least 5 very active Ruff, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 94 Black-tailed Godwit, 47 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, 25 Redshank and a single Common Sandpiper. Three Cranes flew over as did a Buzzard, which caused a few moments of mayhem and some Black-tailed Godwits relocated to the Tack Piece.
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Zeiss Hide
Another 2 Ruff here this morning along with a single Pintail, 4 Snipe, single Greenshank and at least 10 Lapwing. A Kestrel was hovering and hunting over the field just in front of the hide giving great views.
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Kingfisher Hide
At least 3 Chiffchaff were busy foraging in the hedgerow and 21 Lapwing were in the stubble field as seen from the hide. A Cetti's Warbler was calling from the reedbed and on the pool were a pair of Gadwall.
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Rushy Pen
A great count of 13 Ruff this morning, mostly foraging along the very back edge of the pool and occasionally out of view behind the bank. Also counted were 143 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 194 Greylag Geese, 5 Lapwing, 3 Snipe and a Grey Wagtail.
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Holden Walkway
There was no sign of the Whinchats first thing on the Tack Piece, but the scrape held 6 Ruff, a single Black-tailed Godwit and 24 Teal. The flock of 165 Barnacle Geese were on The Dumbles from the Holden Tower along with 2 Cranes and a Wheatear. Two Greenshank were also seen in flight.
