Autumnal...
Overnight showers and cooler air had given the reserve a more autumnal feel, this is reflected by the increase in wildfowl and seeing the small passerines, tits, warblers, Treecreeper, Goldcrest etc flocking together.
Spotted Crake
The juvenile continues to show very well from the Van de Bovenkamp hide today.
Hen Harrier
The juvenile that was first seen last Thursday is still present, viewable distantly from the Sloane Tower or when it makes forays to grassland near the hides. It was seen at Middle Point and over the Tack Piece mid morning.
Rushy Pen Hide/Peng Observatory
Now three Little Grebe fishing together, the regular Kingfisher at the mouth of the Swan Pipe, a few Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Snipe and Lapwing as well as a selection of duck including 3 Pochard, 3 Pintail and 140 Teal.
Robbie Garnett Hide
A Green Sandpiper and 130 Teal. A Stonechat was seen on the Rushy fenceline.
Holden Tower
Small numbers of Blackcaps in the hedges, a few Goldcrest and 491 Greylag Geese on the Dumbles, a Hobby flew S.
South Lake
A Curlew Sandpiper is still among 9 Ruff, 18 Redshank, 120 Black-tailed Godwit as well as 140 Lapwing and a few Snipe. The usual gathering of wildfowl and water birds included Cormorants, Tufted Duck, Teal
Zeiss Hide
A Wood Sandpiper (heard flying over Big Pen at 0900), 3 Little Stint, 2 Greenshank, 1 Ruff and 34 Dunlin. Over 1000 Teal, 35 Pintail, 550 Wigeon also present. A Fox was interested but probably frustrated with the growing duck flocks, all were healthy and alert.
