A snowy start
The surrounding hills had a dusting of snow this morning, with sleet and gusty winds closer to the estuary
The surrounding hills had a dusting of snow this morning, with sleet and gusty winds here on the banks of the estuary. The weather eventually cleared to reveal a calmer and sunny afternoon.
Kingfisher Hide
At least 195 White-fronted Geese were counted mid-morning along with 27 Barnacle Geese, plus flocks of Golden Plover, Lapwing and Dunlin. This morning a Woodcock was feeding out in the open by the bird feeders.
South Lake
A flock of 353 Black-tailed Godwit were close to the hide this morning. Also on the wader scrape were 39 Avocet and a couple of Teal. The deep lake held ten Pochard, 99 Shoveler, 12 Cormorant and 12 Teal. On the approach to the hide, check through the Goldfinch flock for Siskin in the alder trees - at least 13 were noted here this morning.
Estuary Tower
Wintry conditions on the Dumbles but 15 Bewick's Swans were hunkered down towards the riverbank, with another 13 birds on the Tack Piece and seven in the goose fields to the north. In all 11 Cranes were on show this morning including two families and a lone juvenile.
Rushy Hide / Peng Observatory
We still have 72 Bewick's Swans on the reserve this morning, with 34 here on the Rushy. A pair of Oystercatcher and a Redshank were also noted, along with the drake Mandarin. Winter ducks also remain including Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Shelduck. No sign so far today of the Greater Scaup.
