Boxing Day birding
The Bewick's Swans were again at 92 birds this morning, including all four families with cygnets. Another adult dropped in shortly after the feed, a male known as Shoon (pictured) who has been visiting for around 8 years.
South Lake
At least 27 Pochard were on the deep lake with most along the eastern shoreline (far side) up against the trees. Two Ruff were roosting with the Black-tailed Godwit flock which itself numbered 51 birds. Duck on the wader scrape included 146 Shoveler and 164 Teal with 5 Snipe along the shoreline. A total of 86 Herring Gull were loafing on the causeway. An adult Great Crested Grebe was back on the deep lake with the long-staying juvenile. Other birds included a Common Gull, a Grey Heron, 11 Cormorant and 300+ Lapwing.
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Zeiss Hide
A hunting Peregrine pair put up all the Lapwing and Golden Plover, most of which settled on the Bottom New Piece before being put up again. At least 40 Snipe were on the islands and shoreline whilst duck included 4 Shoveler, 248 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck and 13 Pochard. A Grey Heron and two Redshank were also noted.
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Rushy Hide
A total of 93 Bewick's Swans this morning along with 95 Shelduck and 100 Pochard.
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Robbie Garnett Hide
At least 2000+ Lapwing are on the Tack Piece, periodically taking to the air. Along the shoreline were 36 Redshank, 27 Curlew and several hundred duck.
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Holden Tower
The White-fronted Goose flock of 112 birds were on the Tack Piece with great elevated views from the tower. Out on the Dumbles were 12 Cranes. The Long Ground Pool held 43 Tufted Duck and 23 Pochard with a few Shelduck and Gadwall. Closer to the tower on the Pillbox Pool were 82 Wigeon.
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Kingfisher Hide
A flock of 28 Curlew were in the Bottom New Piece field.
