Close to 100
There has definitely been an increase in the White-fronted Goose flock over the last couple of days with 97 birds counted this morning in the north of the reserve, so fingers crossed there are some hiding in the south to take us into three-figures.
Holden Tower
The White-fronts were split between the Ox Piece where 88 birds were present, and the Dumbles where the remaining 9 were with the Canada Geese. Ten Cranes were also with the geese on the Dumbles. Duck on the Long Ground Pool included 141 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, 12 Pintail, 164 Wigeon and a few Shoveler.
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Robbie Garnett Hide
With most of the water frozen the Teal and Wigeon are concentrated into small pools when not grazing on the grassland. Teal this morning numbered 691 birds. Over the path at the Willow Hide, a Water Rail was showing well this morning.
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Martin Smith Hide
The Jack Snipe was seen again this morning.
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South Lake Hides
Our Guide in the Hide Dot reported a busy deep lake this morning from the Discovery Hide with a possible sighting of the Green-winged Teal. Counts including 71 Teal, 106 Pochard, 109 Tufted Duck, 75 Shoveler, 57 Greylag Geese and a single male Mandarin. The Great Crested Grebe was also present and there were 440 Lapwing on the ice on the wader scrape.
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Zeiss Hide
Our Guide in the Hide Ian found 375 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 26 Dunlin, 591 Teal and 3 Black-tailed Godwit on an otherwise frozen Top New Piece. A Cetti's Warbler was calling from the reedbed.
