Eyes to the skies
We're seeing a steady passage of Redwing and Fieldfare this morning with several hundred of each over head as flocks move through. There are also a few Chaffinch on the move, and even a few Meadow Pipit so listen out for birds flying overhead.
South lake Hides
We're working on the back of the South Lake today carrying out essential annual maintenance work. There is some disturbance to the deep lake end (left as you look out of the hide), but the birds at the far end of the scrape and on the duck marsh are staying put. Around 300 Lapwing, 150 Teal and a few Shelduck are still present despite the work. Visit the Hogarth Hide for the best views, and look out for the male Mandarin Duck seen there this morning.
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Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
A total of 35 Bewick's Swans were present this morning, some staying for the morning feed before heading out to graze for the day. Duck numbers remain static between Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Pintail and Shelduck. A few Teal have started to creep in to feed on the left over grain during our 4pm feeds, so why not pop along and see if you can see them at close quarters from the comfort of the Peng Observatory?
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Kingfisher Hide
Arguably the busiest hide this morning with highlights including the Little Stint, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 300+ Lapwing, 23 Redshank, 12 Snipe, 150 Dunlin and 300+ Teal. A pair of Little Grebe were on the pond and a Grey Wagtail was also seen.
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Zeiss Hide
Wigeon numbers are slightly down today as birds are out feeding on other fields nearby following the rather wet few days we've seen this week. There were still around 400 on show along with a bumper count of 50 Redshank and 14 Ruff. Other waders included 32 Black-tailed Godwit and 400+ Lapwing. Other ducks included 800+ Teal and 38 Pintail.
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Holden Walkway
Check out the Tack Piece from the Holden Tower or Robbie Garnett Hide to see the flock of 46 White-fronted Geese feeding amongst the Greylag and Canada flock. Out on The Dumbles are over 1000 Lapwing, but they were very flighty this morning in the gloom. Some Dunlin and Golden Plover were mixed in too. A total of 18 Shelduck were feeding on the pools across the saltmarsh and a Grey Plover was heard flying over but not seen in the gloom. At the Willow Hide the Siberian Chiffchaff was seen briefly and heard calling near the feeders, but be sure to check out any Chiffchaff you see as we've got at least 5 Common Chiffchaff on site too today.
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